In the heart of Downtown West, beneath the floodlights of CITYPARK, tension hung in the air as St. Louis CITY SC clashed with D.C. United on Saturday night. Fans were treated to a thrilling spectacle as both teams battled, showcasing their physicality and determination on the field. Despite the challenges posed by D.C. United's tactics, including time-wasting and scrappy play, St. Louis CITY SC remained resilient, extending their unbeaten streak to five matches with a hard-fought 2-2 draw.
From the opening whistle, challenges flew in from all angles, with neither side willing to back down. St. Louis CITY SC drew first blood courtesy of defender Josh Yaro's towering header in the 19th minute, igniting the home crowd. It was a pivotal moment in the game, showcasing both Yaro's prowess in the air and the team's strategic execution from set pieces.
Josh Yaro shared his sentiments on scoring his first MLS goal, stating, "When you get your first goal, it is always very special. A little bit of it was taken away once they scored so fast, but still special and I will celebrate that. And yeah, tomorrow comes, it's a new day. A new day to, pick ourselves up and go again, but I'm really happy and excited that I got my first goal."
D.C. United quickly countered after Yaro's opener, with Ted Ku-DiPietro pouncing on the loose ball, tapping it into the net following Benteke's initial header attempt. Regarding the opponent's quick response after CITY SC scored, Roman Bürki analyzed the defensive breakdown, remarking, "The first goal, I think, if you look at it, the most dangerous player was left unmarked. After the cross, yes, we were trying to find him and defend." He reiterated the importance of tracking opponents, stating, "But that's something I mentioned earlier in the season, that we have to actually track the players, because the player in the middle is going to score the goal, not the guy who's crossing." Taking responsibility, he admitted, "If Jared Stroud scores from this angle, then it's my fault. He was way too far to score from there." Bürki emphasized the need for better defensive organization, saying, "So we have to sometimes organize and think about who's the dangerous player here."
The pendulum swung even further in the visitors' favor just before the halftime whistle, as Christian Benteke, assisted by former St. Louis City SC midfielder Jared Stroud, capitalized on a defensive lapse to drive home a well-placed shot from the center of the box, giving D.C. United the lead. This turn of events left a bitter taste in the mouths of St. Louis fans, witnessing one of their former players contribute to their team conceding a goal.
Undeterred by the deficit, St. Louis CITY SC emerged from the break ready to battle until the final whistle. Their resilience was rewarded when João Klauss stepped up to convert a crucial penalty in the 70th minute, leveling the score and salvaging a single point for his team. Reflecting on his first goal this season, Klauss expressed his satisfaction, stating, "Yeah, it's a good feeling. I mean, it's the first of the season, and I've been working very hard in the past games. Of course, as a striker, everyone expects you to score goals every single game, but that's not always possible. Still, I'm happy to score my first one."
Lutz Pfannenstiel, during his segment on "Sports on a Sunday Morning" with Tom Ackerman, provided insights into the match, discussing various aspects including the team's performance, opponent's tactics, and officiating. Reflecting on the game, Pfannenstiel stated, "We had a great start to the game... But then somehow it happened now a second time... that we concede that something that shouldn't happen around the 25th minute." He pondered over the outcome, saying, "Overall, it's a draw. I'm not too sure if I should smile because we came back again or if I should be miserable, because we need... another W."
Discussing the opponent's tactics, Pfannenstiel remarked, "DC decided to stop playing football and just try to pick up something which they did... So, at the end of the day, it's all about winning and losing in professional sports." He also shared his thoughts on the officiating, stating, "You know, they came here to get a dirty point... We still need to do certain things better... So no point to complain about them. It's no point to complain about the referee."
As the dust settles, one thing remains evident: St. Louis CITY SC's unbeaten streak reveals a mixed tale of resilience and missed opportunities. Despite their tenacity in overcoming challenges, the failure to secure decisive victories leaves a lingering sense of frustration. While they exhibit moments of promise, the path to the top is fraught with obstacles, testing both players and fans alike.
Stay updated on St. Louis CITY SC's MLS journey with KMOX Sports. Next, catch Joey Zanaboni, Dale Schilly, and Jennifer Siess Gansner broadcasting live from America First Field on March 30th as St. Louis CITY SC takes on Real Salt Lake. Tune in to Y98 for the coverage.