The Columbus Crew are one win away from lifting the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in nearly a quarter century.
Columbus defeated Orlando City SC 2-1 Wednesday night at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, overcoming an equalizer before halftime, and held on through the second half to book its place in the club’s first US Open Cup Final since 2010.
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With the win, the Crew will host the tournament’s championship game for the first time since 2002, when they lifted the trophy named after the club’s original owner, Lamar Hunt. They will take on first-time finalists St. Louis CITY SC on Oct. 21.
It was a night that gave the Crew something that has been hard to find in the 2026 MLS campaign: a complete result when the stakes were highest.
Columbus wasted little time establishing a presence.
In the ninth minute, Santiago Rodriguez delivered a dangerous ball toward the back post following a Crew corner. Josef Martinez found himself in the right place at the right time, finishing the chance to give Columbus an early 1-0 lead.
For Martinez, it was his first goal since joining the Crew during the summer transfer window. It was the fifth career US Open Cup goal for the Venezuelan star, who is seeking his second US Open Cup title (2019 Atlanta United). The last time he scored a goal in the tournament was in the 2023 US Open Cup Final with Inter Miami CF.
Orlando, however, gradually worked its way back into the match.
The Lions found their equalizer in the 40th minute when Martin Ojeda collected a pass from Justin Ellis near the top of the penalty area and fired a low shot beyond Columbus goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.
The goal leveled the teams at halftime, 1-1, leaving the Crew with another 45 minutes to find a way through.
They didn’t have to wait long.
Just seven minutes into the second half, Rodriguez once again provided the dead ball.
The Uruguayan midfielder floated a ball into the penalty area, finding Brais Mendez running into space. Mendez met the service first-time from inside the box, beat Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, and restored Columbus’ lead.
It was Mendez’s fifth goal in all competitions since joining the Black & Gold, while Rodriguez ended the night with two assists.
Orlando City’s offense suffered a blow just a couple minutes after Columbus’ go-ahead goal when the Lions’ biggest summer signing, Antoine Griezmann, was subbed off due to injury. He was replaced by the club’s other big summer signing, US international Daryl Dike.
The last 35 minutes of the game were very physical, but the Crew’s defense keep the Lions off the scoreboard to secure the club’s fourth straight tournament win, 2-1.
“For me personally, it’s really a special moment,” said Crew head coach Laurent Courtois. “I hope we will make it a special moment for the club, but we have a lot of games before .”
The Crew have advanced to their first Open Cup final since 2010 and will host the championship match on Oct. 21 against St. Louis CITY SC.