Columbus Crew Face Richmond Kickers in U.S. Open Cup

Find out how to stream the April 15 matchup between the MLS club and USL side.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented soccer match between the Columbus Crew and Richmond Kickers, with their team colors of navy, gold, red, and white colliding in an abstract, multi-angled composition.The U.S. Open Cup matchup between the Columbus Crew and Richmond Kickers promises an artful clash of styles and colors on the pitch.Columbus Today

The Columbus Crew will take on the Richmond Kickers in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on April 15. The game will be streamed exclusively on Paramount+ as the Crew make their return to the tournament for the first time since 2023.

Why it matters

The U.S. Open Cup is a prestigious national soccer competition that features clubs from across the American soccer pyramid. The Crew's participation marks their return to the tournament after missing out in 2025 due to their involvement in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

The details

Sixteen MLS teams will start in the Round of 32 in this year's U.S. Open Cup. The Kickers, who sit at the bottom of the USL standings with a 0-1-4 record, will host the Crew at their home stadium. The Crew are looking to build on their recent 1-1 draw against Orlando City, in which winger Diego Rossi scored an equalizer, though striker Wessam Abou Ali suffered an apparent right knee injury.

  • The Crew vs. Kickers game will take place on April 15, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
  • The Crew last competed in the U.S. Open Cup in 2023.

The players

Columbus Crew

An MLS club based in Columbus, Ohio that is competing in the U.S. Open Cup for the first time since 2023.

Richmond Kickers

A USL club based in Richmond, Virginia that currently sits at the bottom of the league standings with a 0-1-4 record.

Diego Rossi

A winger for the Columbus Crew who scored an equalizing goal in the team's recent 1-1 draw against Orlando City.

Wessam Abou Ali

A striker for the Columbus Crew who suffered an apparent right knee injury in the game against Orlando City and will undergo further testing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The winner of the Columbus Crew vs. Richmond Kickers match will advance to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup.

The takeaway

The Crew's return to the U.S. Open Cup after missing the 2025 edition due to their Concacaf Champions Cup commitments is an exciting opportunity for the club to compete for another major trophy. The matchup against the lower-division Richmond Kickers presents a chance for the Crew to make a deep run in the tournament.