Crew Book First U.S. Open Cup Final Since 2010 With 2-1 Win Over Orlando City

Photos by: Jonathan Mensah

The Columbus Crew are one win away from their first U.S. Open Cup title since 2002. Josef Martínez and Brais Méndez scored, Santiago Rodríguez assisted on both goals, and the Crew beat Orlando City 2-1 in Wednesday night's semifinal to reach the final for the first time since 2010.

Columbus Crew 2, Orlando City SC 1
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field | Wednesday, Sept. 16

Columbus struck first in the ninth minute, when Rodríguez's delivery found Martínez at the back post for his first goal in a Crew shirt and his first Open Cup goal since the 2023 final. Orlando had its chances in the first half hour, and the Crew needed a little luck in the 30th minute, when Bernardo Rhein headed off the far post and Steven Moreira cleared the rebound off the line.

Orlando drew level in the 40th minute. Justin Ellis set up Martín Ojeda, who drove a low shot in from the edge of the box for his 12th goal of the year and his 45th for the club, two behind Facundo Torres's club record.

The Crew answered early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Rodríguez found Méndez, who finished first time for his fifth goal since arriving in July. Méndez thought he had another later on, but it was ruled out for offside, and Nicholas Hagen and the Columbus defense saw out the win in front of 8,805 fans.

Player of the match: Santiago Rodríguez set up both Columbus goals and was named man of the match.

Stat to know: Hagen has played every minute of the Crew's Open Cup run and made three saves on the night, most of them in the first 30 minutes.

What it means: The Crew had lost seven of their previous eight matches, but they are now playing for a trophy. The final is the fourth in club history, and the winner earns a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. Orlando, the 2022 champion, is out.

Up next: Columbus hosts St. Louis CITY SC in the U.S. Open Cup final on Oct. 21. In league play, both teams are back in action Saturday, with the Crew at CF Montréal and Orlando at New England.