First trophy, old tradition: St. Louis City SC brings U.S. Open Cup back to soccer's oldest American hotbed

Backup keeper Ben Lundt saved the opening penalty in the shootout after Roman Burki was hospitalized, and St. Louis City SC claimed the first trophy in club history It took over two hours of play and a penalty shootout for St. Louis City SC to win their first trophy in club history, defeating the Columbus Crew 5-3 on Wednesday in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. For the first time in 11 years, an Open Cup final was decided via a penalty shootout, and it came after St. Louis' starting keeper, Roman Burki, had to be taken to the hospital after being kneed in the head in the 78th minute of play.

Benjamin Lundt came in for Burki, making his fourth appearance of the season and his second in relief of Burki in an Open Cup penalty shootout. He only saved the first penalty by Santi Rodriguez, but that would be more than enough for St. Louis to get the job done. Their takers were clinical under pressure, as midfielder Daniel Edelman went down the middle to seal the win after playing all 120-plus minutes. "It's just the next guy up. Roman was a hero. He had another save in the first half, and he's throwing his body on the line there. He's done it in Europe, and he's