St. Louis CITY SC has faced a challenging week, highlighted by their official elimination from playoff contention in the 2025 MLS season. Despite the disappointment, the team continues to showcase resilience as they look to finish the season on a strong note.
Recent Matches and Outcomes
In a crucial match against Austin FC, St. Louis CITY SC secured a 3-1 victory at Q2 Stadium on October 4. Marcel Hartel opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range goal in the 28th minute, demonstrating his growing influence on the team. Although Austin equalized shortly after through Oleksandr Svatok, St. Louis regained control, with Hartel contributing to the scoreline once more, helping his team maintain dominance throughout the match.
However, this win was overshadowed by the team's earlier performance against the LAFC, where they suffered a 3-0 defeat. The match marked LAFC's fourth consecutive win and highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities for St. Louis. The loss was a setback that contributed to their playoff elimination, which was confirmed following their defeat.
Developmental Team Success
While the first team struggles to find success, St. Louis CITY2, the club's developmental side, has enjoyed a contrasting week. CITY2 concluded their regular season with a narrow 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers2, but despite the defeat, they clinched the best record in MLS NEXT Pro. This achievement underscores the potential talent emerging from the club's youth ranks, providing a glimmer of hope for the future amid the first team's current challenges.
Looking Ahead
With playoff aspirations now out of reach, interim coach David Critchley remains focused on maximizing the remaining games of the season. The team is expected to evaluate player performance closely as they prepare for the final matches, hoping to build momentum heading into the offseason. Notably, the upcoming fixtures will also serve as an opportunity for players like Mykhi Joyner, who has recently been called up to the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team camp, to showcase their talents on a larger stage.
TL;DR
- St. Louis CITY SC has been officially eliminated from playoff contention this season.
- The team secured a notable 3-1 victory against Austin FC, with Marcel Hartel shining as a key player.
- St. Louis CITY2 finished the MLS NEXT Pro regular season with the best record despite a recent loss to Portland Timbers2.
- Interim coach David Critchley is focused on evaluating player performances in the remaining matches of the season.