Gateway to the West Enters Historic Final
St. Louis City SC will face the Columbus Crew in the first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final in the club's history on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, according to CBS Sports. The match will be broadcast on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network.
The victory would mark a significant milestone for the MLS franchise, which was founded in 2019 and began play in 2023 with backing from local businesses Enterprise Holdings and World Wide Technology.
For the greater St. Louis area, the final represents a chance to reclaim a title that has eluded the region for decades. The last team from the area to win the competition was the Busch Seniors in 1988, ending a 38-year championship drought for the region.
Historical Dominance Before MLS Era
Long before the arrival of Major League Soccer, St. Louis clubs established themselves as powerhouses in American soccer through success in the U.S. Open Cup.
The St. Louis Kutis SC won the competition in 1986, followed by the Busch Seniors' title three years later.
Earlier successes also had lasting impacts on the national game. The St. Louis Simpkins-Ford won their second U.S. Open Cup title in three years in 1950. That victory sent five members of the team—Bob Annis, Charley Colombo, Frank Borghi, Frank "Pee Wee" Wallace, and Gino Pariani—to the World Cup to represent the U.S. men's national team.
Roots of Local Soccer Culture
The foundation of St. Louis soccer success is attributed to accessible youth participation and community demographics.
Joe Olwig, then-head coach of the Busch Seniors, stated that the history of St. Louis soccer stems from kids playing because it was inexpensive for parents, requiring only a ball, spikes, and gym shorts.
The area's immigration history of Irish, Scottish, German, and Italian families contributed to a European flair in local soccer that helped lead to early success, according to the research notes.
Expectations for Modern Club
The path to the final has surprised some observers familiar with the region's previous attempts at top-level competition.
Jeff Robben, former goalkeeper for the Busch Seniors, stated that he did not expect a St. Louis team to make the Open Cup final while the area lacked an MLS team, noting that previous USL teams struggled against higher-level competition.
The upcoming match against the Columbus Crew will determine whether St. Louis City SC can add a new chapter to this legacy and end the region's long wait for a championship title.