The Crew can win its first Open Cup trophy in 24 years
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Despite a down season, the Crew will play for a trophy tonight. Photo: Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images
The Crew is heating up at the right time, with an opportunity Wednesday night to win a historic trophy in their home stadium.
Why it matters: It's been a challenging season for Columbus, but a U.S. Open Cup win would buy a lot of goodwill from fans, and maybe earn an interim head coach the full-time job.
Catch up quick: The Crew is having one of its worst seasons, currently sitting 21st out of 30 MLS teams with the fifth-lowest points-per-game average in team history.
- Along the way, they sold fan favorites Max Arfsten and Diego Rossi and retooled the roster.
Yes, but: With just four games left in the MLS regular season, new signings and interim head coach Laurent Courtois are starting to click.
- Columbus has won four of its last five matches, pulling within a single point of a wild card play-in game to sneak into the playoffs.
- Plus: That includes Sunday's Hell Is Real win over rival FC Cincinnati.
What's next: No matter how the playoff push goes, the Crew can win a trophy in front of fans against St. Louis.
- Even at home, Columbus is probably the underdog — St. Louis is second in the West.
🏆 The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest ongoing soccer tournament in the country. It's been held since 1913, and includes teams ranging from MLS clubs to amateurs.
- It's named for Crew founder and legendary sports executive Lamar Hunt, who also founded MLS, the American Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City).
How it works: The tournament is played all year long, with MLS clubs given byes early while the smallest teams play each other.
- The Open Cup is like the midseason tournament the NBA introduced in 2023 — but a century old.
- It's modeled after famous yearlong European tournaments like England's FA Cup or Spain's Copa del Rey.
Flashback: In its 30-year history, the Crew has just one Open Cup.
- The 2002 win at Historic Crew Stadium was the franchise's first trophy.
⚽️ Follow the action: The Open Cup Final kicks off at 8pm on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network.
- Tickets are still available starting around $30.