Pre-match Preview: CITY SC to host rematch with San Diego, looking to end regular season slump

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest) - St. Louis CITY SC will host San Diego FC for its first home match of May, looking to put an end to a weeks-long winless streak in MLS play.

Last weekend, St. Louis fell 4-1 to Seattle Sounders FC. The loss was CITY’s third in the last month, and fifth since its last regular season win on March 15.

St. Louis opened up the scoring with a Marcel Hartel penalty kick in minute 29. Shortly after, Seattle’s Albert Rusnák responded with his own penalty kick goal. After going scoreless through the first third of the second half, Seattle’s Obed Vargas took a shot that deflected off Timo Baumgartl into the net to give Seattle a 2-1 lead.

Forward Danny Musovski followed it up with a goal from the center of the box in minute 81. Musovski has now scored in four consecutive matches. But it didn’t stop there. As the match entered added time, Nouhou Tolo found the back of the net to make it 4-1. Nouhou finished with a goal and an assist in what was an utterly dominant performance by Seattle.

“I think Seattle had way too many chances,” Coach Olof Mellberg said after the match. “They didn’t have that much before their penalty. But I think we were the better team for the first 30 or 35 minutes. After that, they are much better than us in every way.”

St. Louis now has a record of 2-5-4 and has dropped to No. 13 in the Western Conference.

The only positive news from this match was seen through the substitutions. In minute 70, midfielder Eduard Löwen made his first appearance since March 22. St. Louis also tried out its new winger Xande Silva, who came in for the final 20 minutes of the match. Silva seemed explosive and was able to get more touches of the ball than most of the attacking and midfield roster.

It remains to be seen when CITY will see a return from Tomas Totland, Roman Bürki, Chris Durkin, and Henry Kessler. And fans will be crossing their fingers that Tomáš Ostrák’s departure from last week’s affair won’t carry long-term repercussions.

Hosting The Newcomers

St. Louis will now play its first home match of May, hosting San Diego FC for the second meeting between these two this year.

Similarly to CITY in 2023, San Diego has held its own during its inaugural season. The Azules (5-4-2) are No. 4 in the West with 17 points. After losing three of its four April matches, allowing an average of about three goals per match, San Diego seemed to get back on track to start its May campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of FC Dallas.

The MLS newcomers are an attacking powerhouse, as it is tied for third among all clubs in total goals, and second in total assists. Despite suffering an injury in the last meeting with St. Louis, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano seems to have found his form again. The Mexican forward was named Player of the Matchday last week after contributing two goals and two assists in San Diego’s most lopsided victory of its existence. St. Louis will need to find a way to slow down Lozano, while also keeping tabs on midfielder Anders Dreyer, who combines with Chucky for eight of the club’s 21 total scores.

San Diego will likely run its typical 4-3-3 with Lozano on the wing and Dreyer at the center forward spot, as it did in its first bout with St. Louis in March.

Although the need for points and goals is now long overdue, CITY SC will be heading into this rematch having played two games already this week. After its loss to Seattle and a victory in its U.S. Open Cup match on Wednesday, St. Louis could be fairly worn out when San Diego arrives at Energizer Park.

Coach Olof Mellberg will have to find a way to keep fresh legs ready throughout this stretch.

This will be difficult, considering the club is already struggling to keep players healthy. Eduard Löwen is likely to see more match time after playing most of the second half against Omaha, but Tomas Totland, Roman Bürki, Chris Durkin, and Henry Kessler are still recovering from injuries. And it is uncertain if this will be a return week for any of them. As for Tomáš Ostrák, his start in the U.S. Open Cup match was a positive sign following his early exit against Seattle.

Last weekend, Rasmus Alm and Jayden Reid suited up for CITY2, marking the first return to the pitch for each of them. A spot in the main team’s lineup is probably not an option yet, but it’s certainly nearing.

Bottom Line: St. Louis needs points, and it needs them now. The club is currently more than two wins out of the playoff race. And, although the standings are still close enough, they won’t be for long. CITY will need to get its players healthy and find a way to be competitive, as it was in the first month of the year. In theory, a win this weekend could shoot St. Louis up three spots in the Western Conference ladder, just outside of the playoff pool. San Diego is a tough, hungry side that is trying to prove its worth in MLS. But, it has not won a match on the road since early March. In fact, the Azules have been outscored eight to three in their last three road games. If CITY SC wants to claim its much-needed three points, both the team and its fans should plan to bring relentless energy to Energizer Park.

Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Energizer Park.

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