Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals Return Wednesday
Five months of silence end as the 111th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup returns to the pitch, pitting historic rivals against trophy-hungry challengers in a single night of high-stakes football.
The grass at the stadium is cut short and dry under the autumn air, waiting for the cleats that will soon tear into it. Wednesday, September 16, marks the return of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinals, a tournament that has stood as the spine of American club soccer since 1913. After a five-month hiatus following the quarterfinals, the competition snaps back to life with two matches that carry the weight of history. The silence of the off-season is broken by the hum of anticipation, as four teams prepare to battle for a place in the final.
This is not just another round of games. It is a collision of eras. Two squads are chasing a second trophy, their hands already stained with the silver of past victories. The other two are reaching for the first time, their eyes fixed on a prize that has eluded them for years. The winner of this tournament secures an automatic bid into the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, a stage that demands continental dominance. The stakes are clear, the path is narrow, and the pressure is a physical weight on every player’s shoulders.
Historic Rivals Meet on the Pitch
In one semifinal, the Columbus Crew faces Orlando City SC. The Crew won their only Open Cup title in 2002, a memory that still echoes in their locker room. Orlando City, on the other hand, used a 2022 victory to punch their ticket to the Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time. Their paths crossed in the past, and now they cross again in a bid for glory. The tension is palpable, a tight wire stretched between two teams that know exactly what the trophy means.
The other match pits the Colorado Rapids against St. Louis City SC. Colorado carries a heavy burden from 1999, when they lost the final to the Rochester Rhinos. That defeat remains the only instance of an MLS team losing the Open Cup to a lower-division side. The shame of that loss is a shadow that still haunts the Rapids’ legacy. St. Louis, a newer entrant, looks to capitalize on their opponent’s anxiety. The air is thick with the weight of that past failure, a ghost that refuses to leave the field.
A Century of Continuous Competition
The US Open Cup is the oldest annual team sports tournament in the United States. It began in 1913, seven years before the NFL and twelve years after the American League. Unlike other sports that have had breaks or reorganizations, this competition has continued every year since its inception, except for the 2020-21 season due to the pandemic. It is a thread that connects the modern game to its roots, a single-elimination format modeled after the English FA Cup. Amateur and professional clubs from across the country have all vied for the same silver cup, creating a history that is as deep as it is complex.
Since the launch of Major League Soccer in 1996, the league has dominated the competition. MLS teams have won every title except for that one 1999 upset. The tournament has become a proving ground for the league’s top teams, a chance to prove their mettle against the best in the country. It is a stage where legends are made and careers are defined. The final on October 21 will be the culmination of this journey, a moment where all the hard work and strategy come to a head.
Broadcast Details for Semifinal Night
Fans can catch the action live on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. The Columbus Crew takes on Orlando City SC at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Two and a half hours later, the Colorado Rapids face St. Louis City SC at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The matches are scheduled to provide a full evening of football, with two high-profile contests that will decide who advances to the final. The broadcast will cover every moment of the game, from the kickoff whistle to the final seconds of added time.
According to GN sports/football (en-US), the tournament has a rich history that spans over a century. The 111th edition is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Open Cup. It is a competition that has survived the rise and fall of leagues, the changes in the sport, and the shifting tides of American football. It remains the national championship of American men’s club soccer, a title that carries the weight of the nation’s footballing heritage.
