Benjamin Lundt Shines as St. Louis CITY Wins First U.S. Open Cup on Penalties

Reserve goalkeeper Benjamin Lundt emerged as the unlikely hero, guiding St. Louis CITY to victory over Columbus Crew in the U.S. Open Cup final through a penalty shootout. Lundt's crucial saves brought life to a largely uneventful match, highlighting St. Louis’ commitment to their long-term development strategy.

Match Overview

The first 70 minutes saw Columbus Crew dominate possession and pressure, putting St. Louis CITY under sustained attack. This wasn’t the style head coach Yoann Damet prefers, as he usually encourages his team to control play with the ball. Still, St. Louis held firm, absorbing the pressure before launching some promising offensive moves in the final 30 minutes.

When the game ended goalless after regular and extra time, penalties became the decider. Lundt stepped up spectacularly, saving two spot-kicks while his teammates converted all five attempts, clinching a historic trophy for the franchise.

Team Performances

• St. Louis CITY: Missing star forward Rafa Navarro due to cup-tied restrictions, they struggled to create clear chances but maintained solid defensive organization.
• Columbus Crew: Despite creating more shots overall, they lacked finishing quality in the final third. Midfielder Brais Mendez crafted several chances, but the team missed a reliable goal scorer.

Roman Burki started in goal for St. Louis but was forced off with a head injury, allowing Lundt to step in and keep a clean sheet through to penalties. Both teams mirrored each other tactically, employing variations of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Key Winners and Losers

• Yoann Damet (Winner): The youngest MLS coach finally captured silverware, rewarding his process-driven approach and team-first mentality. Damet emphasized the importance of this trophy back in August, and this win validates his methods despite the club’s earlier struggles.
• Benjamin Lundt (Winner): The backup goalkeeper became the night’s standout figure by saving two penalties with instinctive guesses rather than elaborate preparation. His performance secured the trophy and provided a memorable moment for St. Louis fans.
• Wilfried Nancy (Winner): Though not present, Nancy’s influence is visible in Columbus' style. His former assistant Laurent Courtois tried to carry forward that philosophy, focusing on possession and structure, even if the team lacked offensive punch.
• Laurent Courtois (Loser): As interim head coach, Courtois managed to organize a gritty team but couldn’t overcome missing key players or find a clinical finisher. The loss continues his streak without a major trophy in MLS coaching.
• Rafa Navarro (Loser): The $12 million signing who scored eight goals in eight games was sidelined by cup restrictions. His absence left a noticeable void in attack, and St. Louis missed his ability to convert half-chances inside the box.
• The Fans (Loser): The final was difficult to watch at times, marked by few clear chances and minimal excitement during extra time. With only six shots on target combined and no attempts in the latter half of extra time, it felt like a tactical stalemate that tested viewers' patience.

Match Statistics

• Shots Taken: Columbus quadrupled St. Louis’ attempts
• Shots on Target: Columbus 3, St. Louis fewer
• Penalties Converted: St. Louis 5/5, Columbus 3/5

This trophy marks a significant milestone for St. Louis CITY, a franchise that has claimed its place in American soccer lore through patient building and resilience. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew faces questions about how to turn promise into results without key players and a lethal striker.