Columbus Crew Seal Open Cup Final Berth with Late Strike

The floodlights at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field hummed against the humid Wednesday night air as the ball left the boot of Brais Méndez. It flew low and hard, cutting through the Orlando City defense before kissing the net. The noise that followed was a physical weight, a roar from the crowd that shook the stands as the Columbus Crew secured their place in the 2026 US Open Cup final. The match ended 2-1, a scoreline that felt fragile until that precise moment in the 52nd minute when the game was truly decided.

This victory marks a return to the top stage for the Crew, who have waited twenty-four years for a shot at the trophy since their last title in 2002. They now host the final on October 21, facing either the Colorado Rapids or St. Louis CITY SC. The stakes are high, with a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and a significant cash prize on the line. For a team that has struggled in the regular season, this cup run has become a lifeline, a singular path to silverware.

Summer signings deliver decisive impact

The architecture of this win was built by two recent arrivals. Santiago Rodríguez, the other major summer signing, orchestrated the attack with a quiet precision that belied the chaos of the match. He found the back post for Josef Martínez in the ninth minute, setting up the opener. Then, just after the half-hour mark, he lobbed a service into the box for Méndez. The Spanish striker, signed from Real Sociedad, did not hesitate. He controlled the ball and fired first-time from ten yards out. It was a clinical finish that capped a sensational performance from the new pair.

Orlando City fights back briefly

Orlando City did not go down without a fight. Martín Ojeda, the Argentine striker, found a moment of brilliance just before halftime. Assisted by Justin Ellis, who has now provided a helper in five straight matches, Ojeda fired a low shot from the edge of the eighteen-yard box. The ball sliced under the keeper’s reach and into the corner. It was his twelfth goal of the season across all competitions, a reminder of his lethal touch. For a few minutes, the match felt balanced, the tension in the stadium palpable as the Crew looked to respond.

Path to the trophy continues

The Crew’s journey is not over. They return to MLS action on Saturday, September 19, traveling to face CF Montréal. Orlando City also heads out, meeting New England in their regular season fixture. But the immediate horizon is the final. As reported by GN sports/football (en-US), the Crew have found a rhythm in this tournament that their league play has lacked. They are now 90 minutes, or possibly more, away from lifting the cup. The grass at the venue where the final will be hosted is already being groomed, waiting for the next clash.