St Louis City secured their first-ever US Open Cup title, defeating the Columbus Crew 5-4 in a penalty shootout away from home. The victory ends a 38-year wait for major US soccer silverware in St Louis. The club, founded in 2023, made an immediate impact by capturing the tournament.
Daniel Edelman scored the decisive penalty in the shootout. St Louis clubs have won 11 US Open Cups all-time, with the most recent prior win coming in 1988. MLS clubs have won every Open Cup since 1996, except one.
KEY FACTS
- St Louis City won their first US Open Cup title.
- They beat Columbus Crew 5-4 on penalties in an away match.
- Daniel Edelman scored the winning penalty.
- St Louis clubs have won 11 US Open Cups all-time.
li>Their first-ever club title came in 2026, the year of this report.
How Did St Louis Return to Soccer Prominence?
For much of the 20th century, winning the US Open Cup often required beating a team from St Louis. The city was home to some of the nation’s best soccer clubs during earlier decades. Six different St Louis clubs combined to win 10 Open Cups before this victory. The last prior win was in 1988, when St Louis Busch Seniors defeated San Francisco-based Greek-American AC.
MLS began play in 1996 and has won every Open Cup except one since then. St Louis did not have an MLS club until 2023. From the beginning, club figures expressed ambitions to restore the city’s soccer legacy. That goal has now been achieved with this win.
What Happens Next?
By winning the 2026 US Open Cup, St Louis City earn a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The victory gives the club international competition experience. The team will prepare for that tournament starting in late 2026 or early 2027.
Columbus Crew reached the final but fell short in the shootout. They will turn their attention to league play and future cup runs. The loss adds to their recent near-misses in major tournaments.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- St Louis City won the 2026 US Open Cup.
- The final was a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Columbus Crew.
- Daniel Edelman scored the winning penalty.
- St Louis clubs have won 11 Open Cups historically.
- The previous St Louis Open Cup win was in 1988.
Still unconfirmed:
- The exact date and venue of the final.
- Match attendance figures.
- Full shootout details and player participation.
- Statements from coaches or club officials.
Why It Matters
This win restores St Louis as a force in American soccer. The city had been absent from top-tier MLS until recently, and its return has already produced silverware. For US Soccer, it highlights the competitive balance in domestic cups.
What To Watch
St Louis City will next compete in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. Their form in that tournament may signal whether this Open Cup win is a one-off or the start of sustained success.
St Louis City won their first US Open Cup title in 2026, defeating Columbus Crew 5-4 on penalties. The 2026 US Open Cup final saw St Louis City claim their first major trophy.