The Columbus Crew hosts St. Louis City SC in Wednesday evening’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. The Crew is seeking its second Open Cup title, while St. Louis City, which joined MLS in 2023, is aiming for the first trophy in club history. A City SC victory would also bring the Open Cup back to St. Louis for the 11th time in the 112-year-old competition.

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Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla has written freelance articles about soccer for more than 30 media outlets in nine nations. The winner of eight United Soccer Coaches Writing Contest awards,...