Bürki in the clinic, Baumgartl and Downs keep their cool: St. Louis win the US Open Cup

St. Louis City won the US Open Cup final against Columbus Crew on penalties. There was a moment of panic involving goalkeeper Roman Bürki, whose German replacement ultimately became the hero.

In the US Open Cup final, St. Louis City beat Columbus Crew on penalties to lift the trophy. It is the first major title in the club’s still-young history. The club was only founded in 2019 and has been competing in the MLS since 2023.

As no goals were scored in either the regular 90 minutes or extra time, the match was decided from the penalty spot. The most dramatic moment up to that point came in the 70th minute: St. Louis’ goalkeeper Bürki collided with Crew striker Zaroury and was struck in the head by the latter’s knee. The former Bundesliga goalkeeper had to be taken to hospital following the collision. However, as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher, he waved to the spectators. His club also confirmed that the 35-year-old was conscious and had feeling in all his limbs. The former Dortmund player has been playing for St. Louis since 2022.

Bürki’s stand-in becomes the hero in the penalty shoot-out

In the penalty shoot-out, Bürki’s stand-in Lundt emerged as the hero: the Berlin-born goalkeeper, who had played for Hertha BSC’s reserve team until 2015 and has been under contract in St. Louis since January 2023, saved Rodriguez’s first attempt.

As Baumgartl, another German, had previously put the visitors ahead from the spot – and all the subsequent takers, including former Cologne and Hamburg player Downs, kept their nerve – Lundt’s save was enough to secure the cup victory.

The US Open Cup is the American equivalent of the DFB-Pokal. Things are also going well for St. Louis in the league. With five matchdays remaining in the regular season, the Missouri-based club sits second in the Western Conference. Only the Vancouver Whitecaps, four points clear, are ahead of the new cup winners. However, St. Louis do not have much time to celebrate: MLS action resumes as early as Sunday German time (2.30 am) with a match away at Real Salt Lake in Utah.