Columbus Crew menjamu New York City FC dalam laga perempat final kejuaraan sepak bola Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ke-111 pada Rabu, 20 Mei 2026 pukul 19.30 waktu setempat di ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio.
Pertandingan ini menjadi momentum bagi kedua tim Major League Soccer untuk mengamankan tiket semifinal, setelah Orlando City SC dan St. Louis City SC lebih dulu lolos pada pertandingan hari Selasa.
Tim tamu menghadapi laga krusial ini dengan kondisi transisi setelah manajemen memberhentikan pelatih kepala Henrik Rydstrom dan menunjuk Laurent Courtois sebagai arsitek interim bagi skuad yang kini mencatat rekor 3-7-4 tersebut.
Manajer New York City FC, Pascal Jansen, memberikan pandangannya mengenai dinamika pergantian juru taktik lawan serta kesiapan timnya menghadapi atmosfer pertandingan tunggal yang krusial.
"That’s a tricky one because … they changed coaches," ujar Pascal Jansen, Pelatih New York City FC.
"First of all, I feel for the coach who lost his job. We actually coached against each other in Europe when he was at Malmo and I was at Ferencvaros. So, I hope he’s okay and dealing with the setback in the right way," lanjut Pascal Jansen, Pelatih New York City FC.
"As for the game ahead, we’ll have to see. I know Columbus’ away results are different from their home results, but for me, my staff, and our team, we generally see Columbus as a very strong roster and a very good team. Whatever happens in this cup game, we have to prepare ourselves to the maximum. We played each other recently, so they know our strengths and the qualities of our squad. The same goes for us. We’re preparing for a good game with a lot at stake because our main focus is reaching the semifinal," tambah Pascal Jansen, Pelatih New York City FC.
Jansen menegaskan bahwa timnya memiliki kepercayaan diri tinggi untuk memenangkan laga di mana pun mereka bermain, meskipun karakteristik pertandingan hidup-mati ini akan menghadirkan tekanan yang berbeda.
"We believe we’re good enough to beat any team, regardless of where we play, so that won’t change," kata Pascal Jansen, Pelatih New York City FC.
"But the dynamics of this game are completely different because it’s a one-off match. That creates a different atmosphere and maybe a different type of pressure at times. Like I said, we have one thing on our minds, and that’s reaching the semifinal. That’s our only focus," tegas Pascal Jansen, Pelatih New York City FC.
Berdasarkan catatan statistik dari Fox Sports Radio New Jersey, New York City FC saat ini berada di peringkat kelima Wilayah Timur dengan rekor 5-4-5, sedangkan Columbus Crew tertahan di posisi ke-12 dengan rekor 3-4-7.
Pertandingan perempat final lainnya pada hari yang sama mempertemukan Colorado Rapids melawan San Jose Earthquakes di Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado.
