St Louis CITY SC vs. Minnesota United FC
CITYPARK | St. Louis, Missouri
4.1.2023 | MLS Week No. 6 | MLS Game 5
7:30 p.m. CT (Exclusively on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)
The undefeated northerners take on the noisy upstarts this weekend when Minnesota United travel to CITYPARK for their match against St. Louis CITY SC. This will be the first time MNUFC faces the league’s newest side, but they shouldn’t expect the typical expansion team. With the highest goal tally and the best goal difference in the league, St. Louis is subverting expectations and proving that expansion sides can make some noise. This weekend’s match will be the biggest test yet for the Loons; they’ll need their hot-streak to continue if they want to take any points back from this huge road match.
Minnesota United -
Run of Form: W-D-W-D
Fine margins separate the Loons from all 12 points available this season. Though they’ve won both of their road games, a 98th minute equalizer from Vancouver and a goal from a corner in the snow opener against the Red Bulls have held the Black and Blue to two draws at home. They haven’t been serenaded with Wonderwall just yet, but Minnesota United are playing with an organization and chemistry that any team would be proud of. Their depth was tested against the Whitecaps last weekend, with seven first-team players away for international duty. In place of the usual suspects, the Loons depth chart showcased resilience and grit. With nearly a full squad and some great momentum on their side, MNUFC should believe in their ability to earn another road result.
St Louis CITY SC -
Run of Form: W-W-W-W-W
Five MLS games played, 15 MLS points earned. The club has yet to lose an official match in their history, so they seem to be doing okay. Everything they touch seems to turn to gold at the moment, and every loose ball seems to bounce their way. They’ve been rather fortunate on more than one occasion this season, with several wayward passes presenting golden opportunities. Regardless of how the chances fell to them, though, they’ve done well to take advantage of them. Comeback wins against Charlotte and Austin demonstrated a steely resolve that isn’t typically associated with expansion teams, on top of an insane workrate that must leave their opposition absolutely knackered at the final whistle. They’re going to put up quite a fight.
Keys to the Match:
Good Ol’ Fundamentals
Keep it simple, MNUFC. St. Louis has found a lot of success via quick counterattacks and chaotic passages of play. While it’s impossible to keep chaos completely out of any game, it is possible to reduce it by simply keeping the ball, moving the opposition, and picking the proper moment to advance. If the Loons can avoid forcing the issue, they can slow the game down and control a team that seemingly prefers to play an out-of-control game.
Mind the Klauss
João Klauss has been somewhat of a revelation since joining MLS. CITY’s star man is currently second in the scoring chart with five goals in as many games, and he’s got something special about him on the pitch. The Brazilian striker isn’t particularly athletic: he’s typically not the fastest, strongest or most agile player on the pitch. However, his touch is like butter, his finishing is clinical, and his uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time is something you simply can’t teach. Whether he’s providing a focal point for a cross or picking the ball up at half-field, Klauss will continue to wreak havoc on defenses across the league this season. If the Loons aren’t ready for him, he’ll gladly take advantage.
Look For the Boys in Black
One last thing: try not to pass the ball directly to Jared Stroud or João Klauss, please. They’re not Minnesota United players, so don’t give either of them an assist, okay? Though CITY’s squad is filled with talented players, it’s always easier to win when the opposition surrenders the ball in their 18 for no reason whatsoever. In their matches against Austin, Charlotte and RSL, St. Louis was on the receiving end of some truly mind-boggling back passes, pouncing on poor decisions to find the back of the net. Just go back and watch the highlights — there’s no way they can keep getting away with this, right? If MNUFC can manage to pass the ball to players in the same jerseys, they should be able to avoid this pitfall.
