Ben Lundt was never supposed to play a role as Energizer Park hosted the Houston Dynamo, which is 7-0-2 across all competitions since US Open Cup play began. An injury to CITY’s starting goalkeeper, Roman Burki, in the 26th minute, however, meant that St. Louis CITY SC’s backup keeper would have to take the pitch for the first time this season in the US Open Cup quarterfinal.
“It’s never easy for a goalkeeper to have to come in without a warmup, without a feel for the game,” first-year manager Yoann Damet said after the game.
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After allowing a goal from Dynamo midfielder Artur right away, the 6-foot-6-inch German keeper stood tall. Following a save in the second half, Marcel Hartel tied the game with his second goal of the night. Finally, with multiple saves by Lundt in extra time, the game came down to penalty kicks.
The Dynamo brought their big names into the shootout. Houston striker Guilherme has scored seven goals in Major League Soccer this season. Lundt turned him away following a successful penalty kick by CITY’s Edu Löwen. CITY followed up with Hartel, Timo Baumgartl, and Chris Durkin, leading to a showdown between Lundt and Mexican legend Héctor Herrera. Lundt calmly dispatched Herrera as his teammates rushed to celebrate around him.
“I like penalties,” Lundt quipped after the match. “I haven’t played in a year. It’s so difficult to come in all of a sudden in a knockout game. It’s so hard, but again, it really shows everybody’s happy for each other.”
The moment marked a watershed moment for CITY under Damet. The team has picked up points against expectations, but it was this win against a potential Western Conference contender that has given Damet a signature win before the World Cup break.
CITY has accomplished a lot of firsts lately. The first win in the USOC Round of 16. The first win in Chicago. The first win against LAFC. And now, the club’s first trip to a semifinal.
“This group has something unique in terms of how much they care for one another,” Damet said afterward. “The way [Lundt] cared about the team, the way he’s put the team first, the way he’s made speeches in the locker room, the way he’s been in the training environments. It speaks to the person he is. He really cares about the guys. He really cares about Roman [Bürki]. He wants the best for the team.”
CITY won’t know its semifinal opponent until the Colorado Rapids host the San Jose Earthquakes tonight. If the Rapids win, then CITY will travel to Commerce City, Colorado, but if San Jose wins, St. Louis will host the Earthquakes at Energizer Park in September. Lundt might not return to goal when the competition picks back up, but he’ll relish in his contribution to a historic St. Louis soccer moment.
“The club is young, but to be part of this moment and, in general, this group is great,” Lundt said. “I was part of the first year. I’m proud to be here in St. Louis. I’m proud to be part of this club.”
