ADVERTISEMENT

CITY SC punches ticket to first Open Cup Semifinal after defeating Houston 4-2 on penalties

Lundt Goalkeeper Ben Lundt is mobbed by his teammates after saving two shots in a penalty shootout with Houston Dynamo FC. (CITY SC)
By Lucas Sellem

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest) - St. Louis CITY SC advanced to the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals after defeating Houston Dynamo FC 4-2 in a penalty shootout Tuesday night.

St. Louis broke the deadlock early with a goal by Marcel Hartel in the 10th minute.

Houston responded powerfully, however, scoring twice in the next 35 minutes to take a 2-1 lead.

But in the second half, Sergio CΓ³rdova was brought down inside the box, leading to a pivotal penalty for CITY.

Hartel answered the call from the spot, and the match was tied.

ADVERTISEMENT

After battling through a full 90 minutes, plus extra time, the final score was 2-2.

It was time for penalties, and time for Ben Lundt to step up.

St. Louis saw stellar conversions from Eduard LΓΆwen, Hartel, Timo Baumgartl, and Chris Durkin.

And Ben Lundt’s two saves in the shootout declared the match all but over.

CITY SC will now play in its first-ever U.S. Open Cup Semifinal. The date, time, and opponent will be announced at a later date.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up next, St. Louis CITY SC will face Austin FC at Energizer Park this Saturday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m.

For more on St. Louis CITY SC, click here.

Copyright 2026 Matrix Midwest. All rights reserved.