Josef Martinez embraces chance at turning Columbus Crew's season around in U.S. Open Cup final

The final is set for Wednesday night and will air on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network With nine trophies in their history, the Columbus Crew are among the most successful teams in Major League Soccer, but it has been two years since their last trophy, as much of the team has shifted and wasn't involved in their last trophy, a Leagues Cup win in 2024. Now, as they gear up to host the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday against St. Louis City SC (live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m. ET), it's a chance to salvage the season, and there are still players there who have experience winning, even in this competition.

During the summer, forward Josef Martinez joined the club after what he described as a tough time with Club Tijuana in Liga MX. While at the moment, it was a move that felt like it should be made leaving CF Montreal, sometimes those moves don't work out, but Martinez is also grateful to be with the Crew currently, where he has been able to get back to full fitness and have a chance to contribute now with the chance to win a trophy. "We have to recognize that this is an opportunity to turn on the little bit of a struggle season; this