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Benjamin Lundt Shines as St. Louis CITY Secures First US Open Cup Title in Penalty Shootout

Reserve goalkeeper Benjamin Lundt became the star of the US Open Cup final, helping St. Louis CITY edge past Columbus Crew on penalties to claim their first major trophy. Lundt’s crucial saves brought life to an otherwise uneventful match and highlighted St. Louis’ commitment to a process-driven approach.

Match Overview

For most of the game, Columbus Crew dominated, pressing hard for 70 minutes against a resilient St. Louis side. Yoann Damet, the St. Louis head coach, prefers his team to control possession, but instead they absorbed pressure while waiting for chances to attack. In the final 30 minutes, the roles reversed with St. Louis showing more attacking intent, though neither team managed to score during regular time.

The match ended in a penalty shootout. St. Louis converted all five of their penalties, while Columbus faltered twice thanks to Lundt's impressive reflexes, sealing the victory for St. Louis CITY.

Team Performances

  • St. Louis CITY: The team missed key player Rafa Navarro due to cup-tied rules and struggled for attacking ideas, but their defensive effort held strong.
  • Columbus Crew: Showed grit but lacked finishing ability in the final third despite creative chances from Brais Mendez and energy from Josef Martinez.

Key Moments

  • Roman Burki, St. Louis' starting goalkeeper, was forced off due to a head injury; Lundt stepped in smoothly.
  • Both teams employed variations of a 3-4-2-1 system, reflecting tactical influences from former Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy.
  • The game was tight and physical, with plenty of hard running, cramps, and injury breaks.

Winners and Losers

Winner: Yoann Damet

Damet has transformed St. Louis CITY in his first full season as head coach. Known for focusing on daily progress and teamwork over individual stars, this trophy proves his method can deliver results. When asked about the importance of winning the cup, Damet admitted it weighed heavily on everyone’s mind. This triumph validates his patient approach and puts St. Louis on the map as a serious contender.

Loser: Laurent Courtois

Courtois, interim manager of Columbus Crew, faced challenges including the absence of star player Wissam Abou Ali due to injury. While his tactical plan showed promise and players like Sean Zawadzki and Brais Mendez performed well, the team lacked a clinical finisher to convert chances. Courtois’ record includes solid football but no trophies yet, making this loss another missed opportunity.

Winner: Benjamin Lundt

The backup goalkeeper became the unexpected hero. After replacing Burki, the towering German showed composure and instinct, especially during penalties. Without detailed scouting notes, Lundt relied on intuition to save two crucial penalties, ensuring St. Louis’ victory and earning himself a place in club history.

Loser: Rafa Navarro

Navarro was sidelined by cup-tied restrictions, a big blow for St. Louis. He had been outstanding since joining, scoring eight goals in eight MLS games, always finishing inside the box. His absence left the team lacking a natural goal scorer, which made breaking down Columbus’ defense more difficult.

Winner: Wilfried Nancy

Nancy, former Columbus coach, influenced both teams' playing styles. His emphasis on ball control and structured buildup shaped Columbus and, indirectly, St. Louis through Sporting Director Core Wray. Although Columbus displayed his trademark style, they fell short in attack.

Loser: The Fans

From a spectator’s perspective, the final was a tough watch. It lacked excitement and clear scoring chances, featuring just six shots on target combined and none in the latter part of extra time. This tactical deadlock didn’t produce the high drama or open play fans might expect in such an important match.

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