Coaches Q&A: Columbus’ Laurent Courtois, St. Louis’ Yoann Damet Preview U.S. Open Cup Final

Ahead of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Final between the Columbus Crew and St. Louis CITY SC, we spoke with both head coaches about the long journey to the Final, preparations for a trophy match and their own expectations. The pair of French managers—who briefly overlapped within the Columbus Crew organization between 2023-24—now have an opportunity to secure the first major first-team trophy of their respective head coaching careers.

Can you talk a little bit about your club’s path to the U.S. Open Cup Final? What has stood out over those first four games of the tournament?

Interim head coach Laurent Courtois (Columbus Crew): It was an opportunity, aside from competing and qualifying for the next round, to give playing time to a lot of players, including those from Crew 2, like Kevin [Gbamblé]. We were glad to give those minutes to the players, and they took the opportunity and showed their quality. As the competition got more competitive, we were able to raise our level and still find a mix between giving people chances and, at the same time, qualifying.

Head coach Yoann Damet (St. Louis CITY SC): From as early as preseason, we made it clear to the guys that we were going to go all in on the U.S. Open Cup. Our first match was against FC Tulsa, and those games can be challenging because you’re facing a team you may not be as familiar with, and USL teams are always motivated to challenge MLS teams. We were able to score four goals and keep a clean sheet, which I think set the tone for how we wanted to approach the tournament.

Then we had a come-from-behind win against the Chicago Fire in the Round of 16. We faced some challenges in that match early on, but the guys responded well and showed a great mindset to beat a very good MLS team.

In the quarterfinals, we faced another difficult opponent in the Houston Dynamo. It was an intense, back-and-forth match that ultimately went to a penalty shootout. We learned a lot about ourselves in that game. The margins are so small in knockout competitions, so we were pleased to put together a full team effort and advance.

In the semifinals, we traveled to face another good team in the Colorado Rapids. I was really impressed with how the guys executed the game plan and managed the different challenges the game presented. Each match has tested us in a different way, and I think that has helped prepare us for the Final.

Both sides have seen several players either join or depart the club, especially over the summer. How have you been able to instill your identity on a team with all that movement, and how, if at all, does that impact preparations for a team in a similar position?

LC: Well, we had to have an accelerated program, meaning we had no time to train and practice, so we had to put the guys in game situations right away. With the lessons that we took from this, and also the good moments, we had to learn on the field and then squeeze a few real training sessions in between and suffer together. I think now the guys are closer to having unity in the locker room and on the field.

YD: It’s the nature of the business to have players join and leave, but for us, the team always comes first. You can’t spend too much time focusing on things that are outside of your control. As a staff, our job is to maximize the group we have available and prepare the team as best as we can.

Fortunately for us, the players who have come in have been able to settle fairly quickly. That’s a testament to the work Corey [Wray] and the entire team do in recruiting players who fit what we’re trying to build, both on and off the field. Our focus is on creating a clear identity and making sure everyone understands their role within the team, regardless of when they arrive.

You’ll face a fellow French manager in the Final—one you spent some time alongside within the Columbus Crew organization in recent years. What stands out about him or his coaching style?

LC: We have completely opposite pathways. He was able to coach for a long time as an assistant with a lot of first-team coaches and network a lot. I didn't have a lot of experience as an assistant, so it was a little bit different for me. We know Yoann to be really, really organized, too. So, it's going to be cool to face a fellow French citizen.

YD: I’ve known Laurent for quite some time, and I have a lot of respect for him. Even though we weren’t coaching the same team, we always had a good relationship. Our paths have crossed in a number of ways, not only through our time in Columbus but also through the colleagues we have in common. It should make for a great challenge in the Final.

More broadly, what are you expecting from both your opponent and your own side in the Final?

LC: For St. Louis, a really athletic and organized side that runs nonstop in every position. Also, based on their playing style over the last couple of years, it's really similar to what Wilfried Nancy was doing [previously in Columbus]. So, we're going to face a really good team.

For us, it's one win away. We are one game away from winning a trophy in our stadium. We expect to compete at our full capacity with no regrets.

YD: It’s a final, and the stakes are high, so I expect an intense battle especially with the match being played in Columbus. We know we’re facing a very good team, and they have earned their place in this match just as we have.

For us, it’s about staying true to our identity, being disciplined in our game plan and competing together for the full 90 minutes, or however long the game requires. Once the whistle blows, it’s about managing our emotions and staying true to who we are while also understanding and managing the momentum of the game. We have worked really hard to get here, and we want to make the most of the opportunity.

Both teams have been trending in the right direction lately; how do you carry your own momentum into a cup final while simultaneously aiming to derail your opponent’s strong form?

LC: They’re second in the West and will probably approach the next few games in a different way. We want to make the most of our chance for a playoff spot, and we're going to be as competitive as we can, so we will see. There are four games in two weeks, I believe, so it's going to be a challenge. But we're used to it now.

YD: Momentum is important, and it is always good to come into a match with confidence, but a final is a different challenge and we know that. Our focus is on ourselves and on preparing the team to perform at the level required. We will try to remain consistent in how we prepare the guys for this match but at the same time, we can’t lose sight of what has brought us to this point.

As a coach, what are the most important things to get right in the days leading up to a final? Does your approach change at all compared to league play?

LC: Physical and mental freshness, and a clear idea of recovery and how to approach the game tactically. It's going to be a short turnaround after the Cincinnati game, but we look forward to it.

YD: We have always been consistent with our process, and that doesn’t change because we’re playing in a final. There’s naturally more attention surrounding a final, but the guys have done a great job of staying humble. We try not to get too high or too low based on results. For us, our job is to focus on the things we can control and make sure we get those things right on Wednesday.

What would it mean to both you and the club to win this trophy?

LC: I arrived at the club when we were transferring from the old stadium to this new facility and this new stadium. So, to win a trophy in this stadium would be incredible, with a lot of players that I worked with in the Crew 2 staff, too. It would be pretty cool.

YD: This is the first final in club history, so it would mean a lot to everyone involved with the club to win the first trophy. I have also come to understand just how much this cup means to community of St. Louis, so we are really excited for the challenge. Any time you have the opportunity to win a trophy, it’s special because you know how much work goes into getting to that point. The players, the staff and everyone around the club have put a lot into this competition, and reaching the Final is already a reflection of that work. But we know what’s at stake, and we want to give ourselves and our fans something special to celebrate.