A German reunion in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest) - Major League Soccer has always been saturated with North and South American talent, but St. Louis CITY SC’s 2025 roster has a slightly different look.

In 2024, 79 countries were represented across all of MLS, giving it the most globally diverse player pool among North American men’s professional sports leagues. Of those 79, the top five countries represented were the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia.

As St. Louis CITY SC enters its third year in the league, the club’s 2025 roster represents somewhat of a countertrend.

St. Louis’ roster contains 30 percent of the Deutsch MLS talent.

And their particular batch of talent shares more than just nationality.

Background

Eduard Löwen was signed in the summer of 2022, ahead of the club’s inaugural 2023 season.

“It looked really exciting building a new project, and being part of it was something I really looked forward to,” Löwen said. “Once we started the season and got into it, then you really get to see how ionate people are about soccer, about the team.”

St. Louis finished atop the Western Conference in its first season, with Löwen helping lead the club to 56 points - an astounding figure.

During year two, Löwen and several other notable players would be sidelined with injuries. This prevented the club from establishing momentum early on, leading to a sub-par performance.

But, as the season reached its final third, the No. 10 found himself surrounded by some very familiar faces.

Sporting Director Lutz Pfansienntiel signed three German players that summer: Jannes Horn. Although the chances of consecutive playoff appearances were dwindling, all three of them would have a tremendous influence on the final stretch of the season.

In Just 10 matches, Teuchert scored five goals, tying with forward João Klauss for the most on the roster.

Hartel ended up leading the roster in assists, with seven in nine matches.

Jannes Horn made an immediate impact in the backline by challenging opposing wingers and averaging a percentage of 85.4, giving a boost to the midfield and attacking third.

In November 2024, Timo Baumgartl was added ahead of the club’s third season.

A New Experience

Löwen, Hartel, Teuchert, Horn, and Baumgartl were of the German Under 21 squad in 2017. Now, years later, they’ve been reunited by a set of different threads.

“It’s definitely crazy and something you would never have expected,” Löwen said. “Yeah, something you would’ve never thought of that we’d all play together at St. Louis CITY in the United States. It’s really cool and special.”

“It’s a new league, a new country. Everything is new. A new adventure for the whole family,” said Jannes Horn. “But for us, it’s very nice, and we’re happy to be here.”

With thousands of miles separating them from , it was important to find places that reminded them of home in St. Louis.

“The most special place in St. Louis is the stadium,” Teuchert said. “When we have home games, every time we go to the stadium, to the warm-up, when I score goals and celebrate with these guys and the fans - for me, that’s the best place in St. Louis.”

And having each other to lean on seemed to boost those efforts.

“Edu once invited us for dinner, he makes unbelievable food,” Teuchert said. “I think in St. Louis, there are a lot of good restaurants and different spots, but Edu is also a good chef.”

Memories, Chemistry, and Expectations

Having spent some time with one another during some very developmental periods of their careers, the guys were able to learn each other’s style of play.

“We have a different look with soccer in ,” Teuchert said. “It makes it really easy to play with German guys.”

“I think Edu is a quality player, very good with the ball. He can play the ball to me through opponents and he finds a solution for me every time,” said Hartel. “I think his free kick is one of the best I played with.”

“We had a lot of games together, we discovered a lot of new countries together, we were together in rooms,” Baumgartl said. “It’s nice to be back.”

And how these styles can fit together to create opportunities for success in the season.

“These are all great players who already proved what they can do,” Löwen said. “This connection is going to be important. But, at the same time, it’s important we are all one unit together. Not only the Germans, or the Americans. Now, we have to combine all of that with this special place, the stadium and fans. Then, we can have a great season.”

“We want to reach the playoffs,” Baumgartl added. “That’s our goal as a team, and everyone agrees on that.”

St. Louis CITY SC opens up the 2025 season at Energizer Park on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

For more on CITY SC, click here.

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