Rapids and St. Louis Clash for Open Cup Final Spot

The air in Commerce City hangs heavy with the scent of cut grass and anticipation. Under the buzzing halogens of Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Colorado Rapids and St. Louis CITY SC prepare for a decisive battle. It is a single evening, a single kick, that will decide which squad marches on to the October finale. The stakes are not merely points on a table; they are silver, pride, and a coveted slot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

This is the fourth round of the 2026 US Open Cup, the semifinal stage where the field narrows to the elite. The winner will face either the Columbus Crew or Orlando City, who meet earlier in the week in another all-MLS showdown. For both clubs, the journey here has been paved with grit and tactical precision, turning a domestic cup into a defining chapter of the season.

Colorado’s Remade Attack Tests Resilience

The Rapids arrive with a squad in flux, their attacking core recently upended by a high-profile transfer. Striker Rafael Navarro, their talisman, was traded to St. Louis for at least $12 million, a move that left a void in the final third. But Colorado responded with swift, decisive action, bringing in winger Morgan Whittaker from Middlesbrough in a club-record deal reported at $10.7 million. They also added Ghanaian winger Ibrahim Sadiq and Israeli forward Sayed Abu Farkhi, injecting fresh energy into a lineup that needs to perform under pressure.

Leading the charge is Paxten Aaronson, whose six goals and six assists this season anchor the Rapids' offensive output. Under first-year head coach Matt Wells, the team has maintained a steady rhythm, securing a spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs as the Western Conference’s seventh-place side. Their path to this semifinal was no walk in the park, featuring a penalty shootout victory over Colorado Springs and a clean sheet against San Jose. Now, they stand one win away from their first Open Cup final since 1999, a drought that stretches back to a painful loss to the Rochester Rhinos.

St. Louis Rides an Unbeaten Surge

Across the country, St. Louis CITY SC is experiencing a moment of rare momentum. In just their fourth season as a club, the Midwesterners are two victories away from their first major trophy. Under first-year manager Yoann Damet, the team has become MLS’s hottest outfit, riding a 15-game unbeaten streak that has propelled them to fifth place in the Western Conference. Their semifinal run included a convincing 4-0 rout of FC Tulsa and a dramatic penalty shootout win over Houston Dynamo, showcasing both their attacking flair and defensive resolve.

The summer transfer window saw St. Louis make bold moves, acquiring Navarro and Carlo Holse as Designated Players and signing USMNT striker Damion Downs on loan from Southampton. However, the cup-tied rule means Navarro cannot feature in this match, a significant blow to their attacking depth. The burden now falls on Simon Becher, who leads the team with seven goals and five assists. His ability to convert chances will be the deciding factor in a match where possession and precision reign supreme.

Broadcast Details for the Semifinal

Fans can follow the action live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network. The match kicks off at 9:30 pm Eastern Time, or 6:30 pm Pacific Time, on Wednesday, September 16. As the ball is placed on the spot and the referee checks the watch, the tension in the stadium reaches a peak. Every pass, every tackle, and every shot on target will be scrutinized, as both teams fight for the right to claim their place in the Open Cup final.