The Colorado Rapids host St. Louis CITY SC on Wednesday evening, determining who advances to the 2026 US Open Cup final.
How to watch & stream
- Paramount+
- CBS Sports Network
When
- Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 9:30 pm ET/6:30 pm PT
Where
- Dick's Sporting Goods Park | Commerce City, Colorado
The winner heads to the Oct. 21 final against the Columbus Crew or Orlando City, who meet earlier Wednesday in another all-MLS semifinal.
The tournament champion earns a 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup spot, prize money and silverware.
- Round of 32: 1-0 win vs. Union Omaha
- Round of 16: 2-2 draw vs. Colorado Springs, PK win
- Quarterfinals: 2-0 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Colorado are one victory away from the club's first US Open Cup final since 1999, when they fell to lower-division side Rochester Rhinos.
Those ambitions rely on a remade attack, after striker Rafael Navarro was recently traded to, coincidentally, St. Louis for at least $12 million.
Reinforcements arrived quickly, with winger Morgan Whittaker acquired from EFL Championship side Middlesbrough in a club-record deal (reported $10.7 million fee). The Rapids also brought in Ghanaian winger Ibrahim Sadiq and Israel international forward Sayed Abu Farkhi.
Meanwhile, USMNT midfielder Paxten Aaronson leads Colorado in goal contributions (6g/6a). He's helped the Rapids, led by first-year head coach Matt Wells, stay on track for an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs return as the Western Conference's seventh-place team.
- Round of 32: 4-0 win vs. FC Tulsa
- Round of 16: 2-1 win at Chicago Fire FC
- Quarterfinals: 2-2 draw vs. Houston Dynamo FC, PK win
In just their fourth season as a club, St. Louis are two wins away from their first trophy.
Under first-year head coach Yoann Damet, St. Louis are currently MLS's hottest team. The Midwesterners are enjoying a 15-game unbeaten streak that's catapulted them to fifth in the Western Conference.
St. Louis were remarkably busy in the summer transfer window, acquiring Navarro and Carlo Holse as Designated Players and signing USMNT striker Damion Downs on loan from Southampton FC.
However, Navarro won't be available for this match after being cup-tied with Colorado. That could leave Simon Becher to lead the line; he's their top scorer this year with 7g/5a.
