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

Reserve goalkeeper Benjamin Lundt became the hero for St. Louis CITY, saving two penalties in a shootout that clinched their maiden U.S. Open Cup title against Columbus Crew. The final itself was a tough, low-key affair but showcased St. Louis’ commitment to their process-driven approach.

A Game of Resilience and Strategy

For much of the 90 minutes, Columbus Crew dominated possession and pressure, forcing St. Louis CITY into a defensive stance. Coach Yoann Damet prefers his team to control games with possession, yet they weathered Columbus' attacks effectively. Later, St. Louis started showing attacking intent while the Crew defended stoutly.

The match ended goalless after extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. St. Louis converted all five attempts, while Lundt’s two crucial saves sealed the victory. This triumph might spark a new era of success in this historic soccer city.

Key Match Stats

  • Columbus shots: Four times more than St. Louis
  • Shots on target by Columbus: Three
  • Goals scored in regular and extra time: Zero

Winners and Losers

Winner: Yoann Damet

Damet’s leadership during his first full season at St. Louis CITY culminated in this trophy, validating his patient, process-oriented philosophy. Despite setbacks and being outsiders earlier in the season, he managed to build a team-first mentality that brought tangible success. His emphasis on gradual improvement rather than instant results paid off handsomely.

Loser: Laurent Courtois

Courtois, serving as interim coach of Columbus Crew, faced a challenging task without key players like Wissam Abou Ali. The team showed grit and moments of creativity through captain Sean Zawadzki and midfielder Brais Mendez, but lacked a consistent finisher. While his tactical plan was solid, it wasn’t enough to push the Crew past St. Louis in such a tight contest.

Winner: Benjamin Lundt

Lundt’s unexpected entry after Roman Burki’s injury changed the game. The German goalkeeper had minimal action during regular play but rose to the occasion in the shootout. His two penalty saves came down to instinct rather than detailed preparation, turning him into an unlikely hero and cementing his place in club history.

Loser: Rafa Navarro

Navarro’s absence was deeply felt. Acquired midseason for $12 million and delivering eight goals in eight MLS matches, he brings clinical finishing that St. Louis missed sorely in the final. Without him, the team struggled to find cutting edge in attack, despite strong defensive effort and teamwork.

Winner: Wilfried Nancy

Former Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy left a clear mark on the Crew side through his protege Courtois and Sporting Director Core Wray at St. Louis CITY. Both teams reflected Nancy’s principles: structured buildup, positional discipline, and collective focus. Though the match was defensively tight, the influence of Nancy’s coaching tree was unmistakable.

Loser: The Fans

This match was difficult for supporters to enjoy. It lacked excitement, with just six shots on target combined and no attempts during the second half of extra time. The defensive struggle turned into a chess match, leaving little action or flair on display.

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