ST. LOUIS CITY SC WINS FIRST U.S. OPEN CUP TITLE AFTER PENALTY SHOOTOUT DRAMA
St. Louis defeated Columbus Crew 5–3 on penalties following a scoreless 120 minutes, earning its first major trophy and adding another chapter to the city’s long soccer history.
CITY SC
CREW
A FINAL DECIDED FROM THE PENALTY SPOT
St. Louis CITY SC became the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion on October 21, defeating Columbus Crew 5–3 in a penalty shootout at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio.
The teams remained scoreless through regulation and extra time, sending the national championship to penalties.
The victory gave CITY SC its first major trophy since beginning MLS competition in 2023.
BEN LUNDT’S DECISIVE CONTRIBUTION
The final took an unexpected turn in the 78th minute when St. Louis goalkeeper and captain Roman Bürki left the match injured.
Substitute Ben Lundt took his place and eventually became central to the outcome.
In the shootout, Lundt saved Columbus’s opening attempt from Santiago Rodríguez.
St. Louis converted all five of its penalties, with Daniel Edelman scoring the decisive kick.
The save and the team’s perfect shootout execution secured a historic victory.
FOUR SEASONS, ONE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
For St. Louis CITY SC, the trophy represents an important milestone in the development of a young MLS organization.
The club has established its first place in the national championship record books, demonstrating how a knockout competition can create opportunities beyond regular league competition.
The victory also earned St. Louis a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and a $600,000 championship prize.
A CITY RECONNECTS WITH ITS HISTORY
St. Louis has been associated with American soccer for more than a century.
CITY SC’s championship is the 11th U.S. Open Cup title won by a club from the city.
Previous St. Louis champions include the Ben Millers, Stix, Baer & Fuller, St. Louis Kutis and the Busch Seniors, whose 1988 victory was the city’s most recent before this year.
The new MLS club has now added its name to that tradition.
GOALNEWS VIEW
The 2026 final demonstrates why the U.S. Open Cup remains important to American soccer.
Its national knockout format provides a championship opportunity distinct from league competition and connects the modern professional game to the country’s broader soccer history.
St. Louis CITY SC’s victory is a milestone for the club, but it also illustrates the continuing relevance of a tournament that has brought generations of American teams into national competition.
One club’s first trophy.
Another chapter in
American soccer history.
