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11h ago

Columbus Crew Reach U.S. Open Cup Final After 2-1 Semifinal Win

The victory, built on two summer signings' decisive plays, sends Columbus to the Oct. 21 final with a 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup berth on the line.

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Antoine Griezmann of Orlando City celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the MLS match between Minnesota United FC and Orlando City SC at Allianz Field on August 29, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Overview

  • Columbus beat Orlando City 2-1 on Wednesday to book a place in the 2026 U.S. Open Cup final at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
  • Josef Martínez opened the scoring, Martín Ojeda equalized before halftime, and Brais Méndez finished a Santiago Rodríguez lob in the 52nd minute for the match winner.
  • The Crew will host the Oct. 21 final and will face either the Colorado Rapids or St. Louis CITY SC, whose semifinal result was pending after Wednesday's later kickoff.
  • The win marks Columbus's first Open Cup semifinal appearance since 2010 as the club chases its second tournament title, its only previous triumph coming in 2002.
  • The match highlighted the immediate impact of summer signings Rodríguez and Méndez and carried added value because the champion earns a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and prize money; both semis were shown on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+.