Throughout most of the 1900s, a US Open Cup triumph meant overcoming a St Louis side. The Gateway City housed a parade of elite squads, six clubs sharing ten championships. Their last lift arrived in 1988 when the St Louis Busch Seniors toppled San Francisco’s Greek‑American AC. Since MLS began in 1996, the league has claimed every cup except one, and the league’s newest franchise didn’t appear until 2023.
From day one, club leaders vowed to return St Louis to soccer glory. They’ve delivered. St Louis City captured the US Open Cup, edging Columbus Crew 5‑4 in a shootout, snapping a 38‑year title drought and securing a berth in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup. For my money, this victory revives the city’s soccer soul.
Daniel Edelman converted the winning spot‑kick, while backup keeper Ben Lundt denied Columbus on their first attempt after entering the game in the second half.
Appropriately, the club’s maiden silverware is also the nation’s oldest. Wednesday marked the 109th final; the inaugural contest ran in 1913‑14 and the tournament has only missed two seasons during the COVID‑19 pause. Will this spark a new era for American soccer?