Storylines is here again and looking to storm the Gateway to the West to face off with a brand new foe in Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team, St. Louis CITY SC. But, this isn’t granddad’s expansion team, as CITY has started their first season with a record of 5-0-0 and currently find themselves sitting atop the Western Conference. So, yeah, that’s a decent start right out of the gates.
Before you cry “fluke,” St Louis CITY is also leading the league in total goals and goal difference. They are definitely for real, and they will definitely pose a threat to the Loons hopes of staying unbeaten on the season. While CITY will undoubtedly be one of the toughest opponents MNUFC will face this season, the Loons won’t have to do it without some of their most vital contributors as they did last Saturday against Vancouver. That’s not to say the efforts of those reserves stepping in for their teammates called to international duty aren’t to be lauded, as they held up quite well in place of the usual suspects in the starting XI. But, obviously, the Loons at full strength is a better situation to be in against the top team in the Western Conference.
The talented roster of St. Louis is headlined by Brazilian striker João Klauss. He’s registered five goals so far this season, only trailing Seattle’s Jordan Morris (7) as the leading goal scorer in MLS. He has at least one goal in all five matches this season, and with a goal or an assist, Klauss would make it the 15th different instance in MLS history that a player recorded a goal contribution in their first six games. Together with forward Niko Gioacchini, they have been able to form a formidable partnership for the expansion team’s attack. With their win last week, the pair have both scored a goal in the same match for the second straight game this season.
Along with that tandem, SLC is an opportunistic outfit. CITY is a squad filled with talented players that are ready to apply pressure at the right times. When they pounce, they create miscues from their opposition, and those miscues have led to scoring. In light of that, the Loons must have an increased focus on avoiding the kind of unforced errors St. Louis have become so good at creating to this point. To find success, MNUFC must put a focus on maintaining ball control and ensure accurate passing to avoid the pitfalls of clubs that have come before them.
The backline of the Loons will also have a tough task ahead of them when it comes to defending the highest-scoring team in MLS. With Michael Boxall back from his international duties, the boys will have their leader back to help make that a priority. He and Micky Tapias have worked well together in the center of the defense. Add Kemar Lawrence back into the mix, and the Loons should feel good about their chances of not only holding up against St. Louis CITY but also in their ability to to make the runs and create the opportunities needed to wear down the CITY defense. Hopefully, finding the back of the net will be the payoff to those opportunities — and three points the payoff to the Loons efforts on both ends of the pitch on Saturday night.
MATCH INFO
St. Louis City FC vs. Minnesota United FC
CITYPARK | St. Louis, MO
04.01.2023 | MLS Week No. 6 | MLS Game #5
7:30 p.m. CT (MLS Season Pass, 1500 ESPN)
