Ben Lundgaard


Benjamin Lundgaard is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for USL Championship club Atlanta United 2. He previously appeared at the semi-professional level for Fresno Fuego and New York Red Bulls U-23 and spent time with Columbus Crew SC, Indy Eleven, and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at the professional level.
Lundgaard grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, winning three state titles at the Salesianum School and playing club soccer with the Delaware Rush. He played collegiately for four seasons at Virginia Tech, leading the Hokies to the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament for the first time in nine years as a junior and earning a first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference nod as a senior. Lundgaard was drafted by Columbus Crew SC in the first round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft but never made an appearance for the club, spending time on loan at Indy Eleven and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. He joined Atlanta United 2 ahead of the 2020 season.

Early life

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Lundgaard attended the Salesianum School in Wilmington. He was a three-year varsity letterman and a team captain as a senior, winning the DIAA Division I state championship and finishing nationally ranked in each of his seasons on varsity. As a senior, Lundgaard conceded just two goals while keeping 15 shoutouts in 17 matches. He was selected to play in the 2013 High School All-American Game, where he was named MVP.
Lundgaard played club soccer with Delaware Rush. Ahead of his senior season, he committed to play collegiately at Virginia Tech.

College and amateur

Lundgaard stepped straight into the starting lineup for the Hokies, making his debut on August 29, 2014 in a 1–0 overtime victory against SIU Edwardsville. Although he split time with three other goalkeepers, primarily senior Ben Lockler, Lundgaard made 12 appearances across his freshman season. He kept six shutouts and was responsible for five of Virginia Tech's nine victories on the year. As a sophomore, Lundgaard cemented his spot as the team's starting goalkeeper. He posted three shutouts in 16 appearances, capped by an October 16 match against nationally ranked Notre Dame. Lundgaard made two saves in that game, holding the Fighting Irish to a scoreless draw.
Lundgaard kept eight shutouts in 22 appearances as a junior, both career-highs, and led the Hokies to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. In the third round of the tournament, he made nine saves to help Virginia Tech defeat Indiana by a 2–1 scoreline, although the Hokies would fall in the next round to Wake Forest. He was named to the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Third Team at the end of the year. Lundgaard was named as a team captain as a senior, going on to play all but eight minutes on the season ahead of Morten Lamps. He was instrumental in a victory against No. 1 Notre Dame on September 22, facing 23 shots and making 10 saves as the Hokies claimed a 2–1 victory; his 10 saves were a career-high. Lundgaard allowed 34 goals on the season, but kept six clean sheets in 20 appearances and was named First Team All-ACC. He appeared in 70 matches during his time at Virginia Tech, with his 23 career shutouts ranking second in school history, only behind Chase Harrison.

Fresno Fuego

Following his sophomore season at Virginia Tech, Lundgaard played in the Premier Development League with Fresno Fuego. He made his lone appearance for the club on June 4, 2016, playing 45 minutes in a 1–0 victory against Southern California Seahorses.

New York Red Bulls U-23

Lundgaard returned to the PDL following his junior season at Virginia Tech, playing for New York Red Bulls U-23. He was immediately installed as the club's starting goalkeeper, making his debut in a 3–2 victory against Reading United on May 20, 2017. He appeared in 13 regular season games for the U-23s, conceding just 10 goals and helping the club to the PDL regular season title. Lundgaard started the Eastern Conference play-in game, but conceded a season-high four goals as the U-23s were eliminated by Long Island Rough Riders. He appeared 14 times and was named as the 2017 PDL Goalkeeper of the Year.

Club career

Columbus Crew SC

2018 – Loan to Indy

Lundgaard was one of five goalkeepers selected to participate in the 2018 MLS Combine and one of two Virginia Tech players, along with Marcelo Acuna. Columbus Crew SC drafted Lundgaard with the 21st overall pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, the first time that the club had ever selected a goalkeeper in the first round. After taking part in preseason, he signed for Crew SC on March 1, 2018. Less than a week later, Lundgaard was sent to United Soccer League club Indy Eleven on a season-long loan. He became the third goalkeeper to join Indy during the offseason, along with Jordan Farr and fellow loanee Owain Fôn Williams. After serving as the backup goalkeeper in each of the club's first two matches, Lundgaard returned to Columbus on April 4 to undergo surgery for an injured ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb. He returned to full health in mid-June, but was unable to crack the starting lineup ahead of Fôn Williams; Lundgaard was an unused substitute 23 times on the year. He returned to Columbus at the end of the season without appearing in a match for the Eleven. On December 9, Lundgaard had his contract option picked up by the Crew.

2019 – Loan to Pittsburgh

For the second consecutive season, Lundgaard was sent on loan by Columbus, this time joining USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Although he had been with the Hounds in preseason camp, the move wasn't made official until March 6, 2019, with the loan lasting for the duration of the 2019 USL Championship season. Lundgaard made his club and professional debut on March 23, starting at Children's Mercy Park as the Riverhounds drew 2–2 with Swope Park Rangers. He appeared in four of the club's first six matches of the season, keeping two clean sheets, but fell out of the lineup behind Kyle Morton and midseason arrival Austin Pack. Lundgaard suffered a back injury in late April, necessitating the signing of Pack, and was unable to return to the Pittsburgh lineup after returning to full health. He was recalled by the Crew on June 21 to provide cover after Zack Steffen completed a move to Europe. Following the end of the Crew's season, Lundgaard was officially loaned back to Pittsburgh, but did not train with the Hounds, remaining on the Pittsburgh roster for the playoffs only in case of an injury to Morton or Pack. On October 21, Lundgaard had his contract option declined by Columbus, ending his two-year affiliation with the club.

Atlanta United 2

On January 27, 2020, Lundgaard signed for USL Championship club Atlanta United 2.

Personal life

Lundgaard's brother, Peter, played collegiate soccer at York College of Pennsylvania, while his father, Per, competed for the University of Wyoming in swimming and water polo. Ben Lundgaard majored in public relations while at Virginia Tech.

Career statistics

Honors

;Fresno Fuego
;New York Red Bulls U-23
;Individual