# U.S. Open Cup Final: Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC
Columbus Crew and St. Louis City SC meet in the U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The match brings together clubs with deep connections and plenty at stake: the winner will claim the trophy, qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup and earn $600,000 in prize money. The runner-up will receive $250,000.
## How to Watch Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC
– **Date:** Wednesday, Oct. 21
– **Kickoff:** 8 p.m. ET
– **Venue:** ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio
– **TV channel:** CBS Sports Network
– **Live stream:** Paramount+
– **Odds:** Columbus Crew +130; draw +250; St. Louis City SC +182
Check your local listings and streaming service for access details.
## St. Louis City SC Looks to Its Attacking Depth
St. Louis will be without Rafael Navarro, who is ineligible after playing for the Colorado Rapids earlier in the U.S. Open Cup. Navarro has made an immediate impact for City SC, recording eight goals and three assists in eight appearances, so his absence puts added responsibility on the rest of the attack.
Simon Becher could be central to St. Louis’ plans. He has scored 10 goals and added four assists in 33 appearances across all competitions. Alongside Carlo Holse and former Columbus player Alexandru Matan, Becher gives St. Louis several options to challenge the Crew defense.
## Columbus Crew’s New-Look Attack
Columbus will look to Brais Méndez to help drive its offense. The midfielder joined after winning the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad and has contributed 11 goals and assists across all competitions for the Crew.
Anass Zaroury is also available after missing the previous match through illness, while Josef Martínez is expected to lead the line. Columbus manager Laurent Courtois said Méndez’s halftime substitution against FC Cincinnati was not related to an injury.
## Connections Between the Clubs
The final carries connections beyond the pitch. St. Louis sporting director Corey Wray and head coach Yoann Damet both spent time in the Columbus Crew organization before helping build St. Louis City SC.
There is also a shared college link: Crew captain Sean Zawadzki and St. Louis midfielder Dante Polvara were teammates on Georgetown’s 2019 NCAA championship team.
## U.S. Open Cup History Adds to the Stakes
St. Louis has a strong citywide history in the competition, with teams from the area having won 10 U.S. Open Cup titles. The most recent came 38 years ago. Columbus, meanwhile, has earned nine trophies across all competitions and will have the chance to add another in front of its home supporters.
The Crew last won the Open Cup in 2002, when they defeated the LA Galaxy. With a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup and a major prize on the line, Wednesday’s final offers both clubs a chance to make history.