Ben Lundt was thrust into an unexpected role when St. Louis CITY SC faced the Houston Dynamo at Energizer Park. A 26th-minute injury to starting goalkeeper Roman Burki forced the backup keeper to make his first appearance of the season.
“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. “At the end, he saved the penalty for us that gave us the qualification.”
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Though Dynamo midfielder Artur found the back of the net early, the towering 6-foot-6-inch German goalkeeper proved resilient. His crucial second-half save set up Marcel Hartel’s equalizing goal, his second of the match. Additional saves in extra time positioned CITY perfectly for a penalty shootout victory and a spot in the semifinals.
“The script in general was a little bit crazy today,” Lundt said afterward. “I come in. Roman [Bürki] was hurt. The first shot on goal is a goal—that’s not a good feeling. And then I make a save at the beginning of the second half. Then we keep possession, we get a penalty, and you’re in the game.”
When penalties commenced, Houston brought their star power. With striker Guilherme—who boasts seven MLS goals this season—stepping up after Edu Löwen’s successful conversion, Lundt made a decisive stop. CITY added goals from Hartel, Timo Baumgartl, and Chris Durkin before Lundt faced Mexican star Héctor Herrera in the final shootout moment. The keeper’s calm save clinched the win as teammates swarmed around him.
“I like penalties,” Lundt quipped. “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.”
This victory represents a defining moment for CITY under Damet’s leadership. While recent results have exceeded expectations, defeating a Western Conference powerhouse like Houston—undefeated across all competitions at 7-0-2 since the US Open Cup began—gives Damet a landmark win before the World Cup break.
CITY has recently achieved several historic milestones: their first USOC Round of 16 victory, first Chicago win, first LAFC win, and now their maiden semifinal appearance.
“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 awaits their semifinal opponent, which will be determined when the Colorado Rapids host the San Jose Earthquakes tonight. A Rapids victory sends CITY to Commerce City, while a San Jose win means hosting the Earthquakes at Energizer Park in September. Though Lundt may not start when the competition resumes, his crucial contribution has secured his place in St. Louis soccer history.
“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.”
