History came home to St. Louis on Wednesday night. In just its fourth MLS season, St. Louis CITY SC captured the first trophy in club history, defeating the Columbus Crew 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a tense, scoreless 120 minutes in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
The victory ends a 38-year wait for a major U.S. soccer title for the city of St. Louis and marks the 11th Open Cup championship claimed by a St. Louis-based club. The last came in 1988, when the St. Louis Busch Seniors lifted the trophy. CITY SC, which began play in 2023, has now restored the Gateway City to the top of American soccer’s oldest competition.
Columbus controlled much of the match, generating far more shots and territorial pressure, yet could not break through. CITY SC goalkeeper Roman Bürki was forced off in the second half after taking a knee to the head while making a save and was taken to the hospital for evaluation (he was later reported to be OK). Backup goalkeeper Ben Lundt entered and proved decisive. In the shootout, Lundt saved Columbus’ opening penalty, and CITY SC converted all five of its attempts. Midfielder Daniel Edelman calmly buried the decisive kick to spark celebrations that stretched from Columbus back to St. Louis.
“This is what it means,” CITY SC posted on social media in the immediate aftermath, capturing the weight of the moment for a young club and a city with deep soccer roots.
Head coach Yoann Damet, MLS’s youngest manager and a former Columbus assistant who was passed over for the Crew’s top job, guided his side through a gritty campaign. CITY SC reached the final with a commanding 3-0 semifinal win over the Colorado Rapids, part of a strong run that also featured a club-record unbeaten streak across competitions. The Open Cup triumph also secures a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
For St. Louis supporters, the night carried special resonance. The city dominated the Open Cup for decades in the amateur and semi-professional eras, with multiple clubs combining for titles. CITY SC prioritized the tournament from the outset, and Wednesday’s result validated that commitment. Fans who traveled to Columbus and those watching at home watched a defensive stand and penalty-shootout perfection deliver silverware that had long felt overdue.
The 111th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup—first contested in 1913-14—now belongs to St. Louis CITY SC. In a single evening, the club filled its previously empty trophy case, reconnected the city with its proud soccer past, and announced itself as a legitimate contender on the national stage. For a franchise still writing its early chapters, the first line in the championship record is now complete.
