Win or go home.
That's the situation St. Louis City SC will find itself in 4 p.m. Sunday at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City. After losing the first match in a best-of-three series, the Western Conference number one seed must beat eighth seeded Sporting KC to advance to a rubber match back home at CityPark Nov. 11. Otherwise, an early playoff exit will end what's been a remarkable first season for the expansion franchise.
Head coach Bradley Carnell tells KMOX this was never going to be easy.
"It just shows how tight this league is," Carnell said of last weekend's 4-1 defeat. "This league, with all the parity that is has, we have to be at our utmost best. We're expecting a bounce-back ability."
Tim Parker, a finalist for Major League Soccer defender of the year, said with City's roster lacking in playoff experience, they want to go with what's worked in the regular season -- an aggressive, freer form of soccer.
"We wanted to be able to build momentum going into the playoffs," he said. "We didn't necessarily get the results we wanted, but there is a good feeling among the group."
Carnell said there's no doom-and-gloom. He says the team believes their season shouldn't end at the home of rival Sporting KC. It's motivation.
"We just have to show a grit and desire that we want to change the complexion of the game," he said. "And it starts with one moment at a time, and if we can turn those moments into multiple moments and kill the passion and ambition of the opponent, that's exactly what's needed on the day."
Sunday's match can be heard live on both Y98 FM and KMOX. The team will host a watch party at CityPark. Details below:
Match 2 of Round One: Sunday, Nov. 5 at 4:00 p.m.
Guests can watch the match from four big screens, accompanied by views of CITYPARK’s pitch
ULTRA Watch Party free admission tickets available to claim now
St. Louis CITY SC is hitting the road to Kansas to take on Sporting Kansas City for the second match of Round One’s Best-of-3 series in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Fans can be part of the away match action at CITYPARK at the free, ticketed ULTRA Watch Party, presented by Michelob ULTRA, on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the stadium’s ULTRA Club.
“This a watch party with an emphasis on the party, with four big screens showing the match so fans don’t miss a moment,” said Matt Sebek, St. Louis CITY SC’s Chief Experience Officer. “Join us at home at CITYPARK, wear your CITY Red, be loud and catch all of the action as our boys battle our neighbors in Kansas and continue their quest for the MLS Cup.”
The ULTRA Watch Party features:
Drink specials (ages 21 and older only):Complimentary first ULTRA$5 ULTRA cans (12 oz.)Samples of Hoop TeaDJ entertainment from Y98 and Hot 104.1’s D2thaCConcessions, including tacos from CITY Flavor food partner Malinche“All for CITY” rally towel and other giveaways
Free admission tickets are available to claim now (max of 4 tickets per person) at www.seatgeek.com. (A limited number of tickets are available, and seating is first come, first serve.) Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. with kickoff at 4:00 p.m.
Guests will adhere to CITYPARK’s prohibited items and bag policies, which are outlined online.