St Louis City win first US Open Cup

St Louis City have won their first US Open Cup, beating Columbus Crew on penalties, The Guardian reported. The final was played on October 21 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, the venue designated by U.S. Soccer for the conclusion of the 2026 competition.

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The championship carries a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and a $600,000 prize. U.S. Soccer confirmed both rewards before the final. For City, which began MLS play in 2023, the victory turns a first appearance in a cup final into the first trophy in the club's short history.

It also adds another chapter to a much older local record. U.S. Soccer's historical account listed 10 previous Open Cup titles shared by six St Louis clubs, beginning with Ben Millers in 1920. The most recent had been the Busch Seniors' triumph in 1988. City's success therefore makes it the seventh club from the city to win the competition and raises the collective total to 11.

City's route included several different tests. According to U.S. Soccer's tournament review, they began with a 4-0 home victory over FC Tulsa before overturning a deficit to beat Chicago Fire 2-1 away. Tomas Totland and substitute Eduard Löwen scored in the second half in Chicago. The quarter-final against Houston Dynamo finished 2-2 after extra time, with goalkeeper Ben Lundt helping City advance through a penalty shootout.

The semi-final brought a 3-0 away victory over Colorado Rapids. Jeong Sang-Bin opened the scoring before Simon Becher and Alexandru Mățan added second-half goals, U.S. Soccer reported. That result secured City's first final under Yoann Damet, who took charge ahead of the season. The cup run accompanied a league recovery after the club missed the playoffs in each of the previous two campaigns.

Columbus had been seeking a second Open Cup title, having last won it in 2002. MLS's account of their route showed victories over Richmond Kickers, One Knoxville, New York City FC and Orlando City. The Crew reached the final by defeating Orlando 2-1, but the trophy ultimately went to the visiting club making its first appearance in the deciding match.