The Columbus Crew punched their ticket to the 2026 US Open Cup final, taking down Orlando City 2-1 in a fierce semifinal showdown Wednesday night at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. This victory snaps a long drought, sending the Crew to their first Open Cup final since 2010, and now they’re just 90 minutes from lifting a trophy they haven’t held since 2002.
Summer Signings Steal the Show, Secure the Win
This whole Crew run has been electric, and Wednesday night was no different, especially with their summer arrivals absolutely showing out. Santiago Rodríguez, one of those big summer signings, was a maestro on the field, assisting both Crew goals. He set up MLS legend Josef Martínez in just the ninth minute, finding him at the back post after a Columbus corner to grab the early lead. But Orlando wasn’t going to roll over; Martín Ojeda hammered home his 12th goal of the season just before halftime in the 40th minute, off an assist from Justin Ellis, who’s now on a five-match helper streak.
The real game-changer came in the 52nd minute, and yeah, it was another summer arrival. Brais Méndez, signed as a Designated Player from LaLiga’s Real Sociedad, latched onto a lobbed service from Rodríguez, finishing first-time from 10 yards out. That’s Méndez’s fifth goal in all competitions since joining in July, and it was the decisive moment that locked in the 2-1 victory. Talk about impact players!
Open Cup Magic Trumps Regular Season Struggles
It’s been a bit of a grind for Columbus during the MLS regular season, but man, they’ve found some serious magic in the US Open Cup. This run proves they can dig deep and fight for silverware. Now, they’ve got the chance to host the Oct. 21 final, where they’ll face either the Colorado Rapids or St. Louis CITY SC. That other all-MLS semifinal was set to kick off later Wednesday evening, so we’ll know the exact matchup soon. Winning this trophy isn’t just about bragging rights; the tournament champion also snags a coveted spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, plus some sweet prize money. For a team that’s had its ups and downs, this is a massive opportunity to make a statement.
Next up, the Crew are back to MLS regular season action, playing Saturday, Sept. 16 at CF Montréal. But for now, Columbus fans are buzzing, and rightfully so. That final on Oct. 21 is going to be absolutely wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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