Richmond Kickers vs Columbus Crew - US Open Cup

The history between Richmond Kickers and Columbus Crew lends this US Open Cup fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on April 15, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. There are just three weeks to go in the transfer window and City face more transfer questions than answers ahead of the new campaign.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Richmond Kickers and Columbus Crew cross paths in the US Open Cup, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. Richmond Kickers will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. Columbus Crew's away form is hard to read, but they will arrive with the belief that they can trouble their hosts. He was sacked by Fiorentina after Che Adams' late goal for Torino left them bottom of the Serie A table with three defeats out of three.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Richmond Kickers will look to impose their style on home soil, while Columbus Crew are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. After the loss, a lot of questions began to be raised about their different approach to preparing for the game.

Individual quality could tip the balance. The league's leading scorer A. Méndez, with 1 goals to his name this season, is a reminder of the firepower on display. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. Carrick is the ideal man to try and help with that reintegration, having played with the forward at United and coached him when he was on the staff under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the US Open Cup standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. It is understood that his next move is most likely to take him abroad - and potentially to the Premier League.