PHOTO VIA ORLANDO CITY SC NO CREDIT PROVIDED
Orlando City SC’s run in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ended Wednesday night with a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
Columbus struck first in the ninth minute when Josef Martínez capitalized on a kick from Santiago Rodríguez. Orlando answered in the 40th minute as Justin Ellis made a solo run from deep midfield, beating multiple Columbus defenders before sliding the ball to Martín Ojeda, who ripped in a shot from distance to level the score.
Columbus retook the lead for good in the 52nd minute when Brais Méndez timed a run into the box to volley in another cross from Rodríguez.
Interim head coach Martín Perelman said the loss stings given how much the team had hoped to advance, but that the group needs to process it quickly with league play continuing. He said the coaching staff and players will look critically at both the good and bad from the match together, while staying focused on competing and winning as the season continues.
Orlando City now turns back to league play, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference as it looks to extend the longest active playoff appearances streak in MLS to seven consecutive seasons. The Lions travel to Gillette Stadium on Saturday, September 19, to face the New England Revolution.
