Pre-match Preview: CITY SC back home for mid-week match with San Jose

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - St. Louis CITY SC returns to CITYPARK for a mid-week battle with the San Jose Earthquakes this Wednesday.

It’s been a rocky week for the St. Louis soccer community. As the winless month of June closes, there are fewer than 15 regular season matches remaining. St. Louis will start the month of July at home against an opponent they have not yet faced this year.

Last Time Out

CITY SC was involved in a high-scoring affair last weekend. The club took a 4-3 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Canada.

After getting the match off to a hopeful start, it was a brutal result in the end. St. Louis went up 2-0 early on thanks to goals by Njabulo Blom and Eduard Löwen. It was the first time Löwen wore the captain’s armband for CITY SC in an MLS match. Vancouver was able to steal a goal before the half expired, which would only be the beginning as they rattled off three straight in the second half. Brian White solidified himself as the Whitecaps’ man of the match after scoring two goals in the final 45, securing his hat trick. Nökkvi Thórisson did score in stoppage time to make it close, but it was too little too late.

This match saw a very unorthodox lineup for CITY SC. John Klein made his first-ever MLS start, and Ben Lundt made his first appearance of the season. With Tim Parker and Joakim Nilsson out, the center-back duo was comprised of Jake Nerwinski and Anthony Markanich, a first-ever combination to lead the back line.

Following the match, St. Louis announced that the club is parting ways with head coach Bradley Carnell. It was a shocking announcement that certainly rippled through the gateway city. As the club scrambles in search of a replacement, they are also preparing to face an opponent they have not seen in over a year.

“Getting now fresh blood, fresh thoughts, and a lot of motivation and a lot to play for,” said Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel. “I think you will see a team which will be ready and very motivated on Wednesday evening.”

READ: CITY SC sack Carnell, Hackworth to take over

What’s Next

Other than St. Louis, the San Jose Earthquakes are the only other club in all of MLS with just three wins so far this year. They are the bottom of the conference, and the league, with 11 points. CITY SC, holding the No. 12 spot in the Western Conference, has gone winless in nine matches. At CITYPARK this year, St. Louis has a 3-3-5 record and earned four clean sheets in that span. Against San Jose, CITY is undefeated in two matchups, with a 2-1 victory in June 2023 being the most recent.

Both sides will be managed by interim coaches. San Jose will be led by Ian Russell, following the dismissal of Luchi Gonzalez. Meanwhile, John Hackworth has been placed at the helm for St. Louis as they look for a must-win victory to start July.

READ: CITY SC’s Roman Bürki selected as 2024 MLS All-Star

Bottom line: St. Louis has a long list of injuries on top of their recent change in leadership. Klauss, Nilsson and Yaro have ed Hiebert, Alm, Ostrák and Pompeu on CITY’s injury report heading into this match. Some good news; Tim Parker does not seem to be a part of that list. Parker and midfielder Eduard Löwen are two of the guys that St. Louis will need to step up at a time like this. Across 40 matches in regular season play, Löwen has recorded 25 goal contributions. It will be interesting to see what formations and tactics are implemented by Hackworth in his first head coaching appearance. Regardless, both sides are looking at this match as a major chance to collect three points. It’s a matter of which side will take advantage of the opportunity despite having undergone major internal changes.

“I think those leaders in the dressing room are the ones that are able to also recognize that the players need to come together and perform as well,” said President and General Manager Diego Gigliani. “That team unity is going to be key and it’s going to determine whether we have a good rest of the season or not.”

Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at CITYPARK.

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