It was 25 degrees on Saturday night at CityPark, with a wind chill barely into double digits. It’s going to take more than that to cool down St. Louis City SC.
City SC went where no other Major League expansion team has gone, beating San Jose 3-0 to improve to 4-0 to start its young life. No MLS expansion team has ever started 4-0, and four weeks into the season, City SC is the only team to have gotten all possible points.
The team also achieved something is has been seeking all season, a shutout, and for the first time this season, didn’t have to come from behind to win. Goalie Roman Burki was tested a couple of times including a save on a shot from close range in the 61st minute, when San Jose threatened to get back in the game. City SC took a 2-0 lead into the half behind goals by both of its strikers, first by Niko Gioacchini, then by Klauss just before halftime, and then second half sub Tomas Ostrak scored in the 68th minute.
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City SC has scored three goals in three of its four games, and two in the other, and is tied for the league lead in goals. It matches the second-longest win streak by an expansion team since the end of league’s shootout era, when games couldn’t end in ties.
Gioacchini scored in the 34th minute, at the end of a long buildup that started deep in the City SC end and finished with left back John Nelson playing a ball into the box that though the San Jose defense and Gioacchini took a touch to control it and then another as he fought off a San Jose defender to poke in for the 1-0 lead. It was the first MLS goal for Gioacchini.
In the third minute of first-half stoppage time, City SC extended its lead. Another buildup led to Klauss getting the ball just past midfield. He tried to pass it forward, but it was broken up by the San Jose defense. But Klauss kept going, bulldozing his way through San Jose defenders, won the ball back, and drove it in from nine yards out, putting it between goalie JT Marcinkowski’s legs. It was the third goal of the season for Klauss, who has scored in all but one of City SC’s games and has a goal or an assist in every game.
Ostrak got his first goal of the season after a free kick by Eduard Lowen that led to three shots. A steal by Eduard Lowen kept the play alive and Ostrak had the ball at the top of the box, moved a few steps to his left to get the angle he wanted, and knocked it home. By the end of the game, City SC was threatening to score again and again.
City SC heads to Utah next Saturday to face Real Salt Lake with a chance to go 5-0.
City SC was without center back Tim Parker, who suffered a groin injury in practice on Wednesday and was considered questionable for the game. Lucas Bartlett, who came into camp as a trialist and signed with the team two weeks ago, moved into the lineup in Parker’s spot.
There was one other change to the lineup, as coach Bradley Carnell went with a two-striker formation and started Gioacchini, which bumped Miguel Perez out of the starting 11. Perez came on in the 65th minute
Njabulo Blom missed his second straight game with an unspecified illness, though the coach of the South African national team told a South African publication that Blom told him he had COVID. Blom’s absence has touched off a disagreement between the South African federation and City SC after South Africa called Blom in for two upcoming qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations. Blom was picked for the team even though he hasn’t practiced since March 8, complained that the team was keeping him from traveling, in violation of FIFA rules. City SC’s stance is that Blom, considering the time he has missed, is not up to making the long trip.
Aziel Jackson got in his first game of the season, coming on as a late sub.
While the game was a sellout, the extreme cold weather left a few seats empty. That didn’t stop the fans who showed up from bringing the exuberance they brought in the first game despite the brutally cold weather.
Tom Timmermann and Carter Chapley talk about City SC as the only 3-0 team in Major League Soccer and where the team goes from here.
Tom Timmermann
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Carter Chapley
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Gary Hairlson
Photos: St. Louis City SC beats San Jose Earthquakes to stay undefeated
St. Louis City forward Nicholas Gioacchini, center, is mobbed by his teammates after scoring the first goal of the game in the first half during an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
St. Louis City forward Nicholas Gioacchini (11) scores a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis.
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City forward Nicholas Gioacchini (11) celebrates scoring a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis.
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City forward Samuel Adeniran, front, is brought down by San Jose Earthquakes defender Carlos Akapo in the second half during an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
Shane Schmidt cheers before a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) sits on the ground after being fouled by San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City forward Klauss (9) and San Jose Earthquakes defender Jonathan Mensah (4) chase down a ball during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
Fans celebrate St. Louis City SC’s 3-0 win against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. The win kept St. Louis undefeated on the season. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) and St. Louis City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) fight for possession of the ball during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
Fans celebrate St. Louis City SC’s 3-0 win against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. The win kept St. Louis undefeated on the season. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City SC and fans celebrate a goal during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City defender Lucas Bartlett (24) celebrates his team’s win with goalkeeper Roman Bürki (1) after a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0 to stay undefeated on the season. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) reacts after being called for a foul during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
San Jose Earthquakes defender Tanner Beason (15) and St. Louis City defender Lucas Bartlett (24) fight for possession of a free kick during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City forward Nicholas Gioacchini (11) and San Jose Earthquakes defender Rodrigues (26) chase down the ball during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City midfielder Miguel Perez (28) and San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) fight for possession of a free kick during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City midfielder Indiana Vassilev (19) reacts after missing a shot on goal during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. St. Louis defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
Teammates surround St. Louis City forward Nicholas Gioacchini (11) after his goal during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
Fans celebrate a goal scored by St. Louis City forward Nicholas Gioacchini during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City forward Klauss (9) makes a move on San Jose Earthquakes forward Tommy Thompson (22) and defender Rodrigues (26) that would lead to a goal during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City forward Klauss (9) celebrates after scoring a goal during a game between St. Louis City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in St. Louis. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Bürki directs his teammates before a free kick during an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
Fans are washed in red as they cheer in the supporter’s section before the start of an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Bürki punches the ball away from San Jose Earthquakes defender Carlos Akapo (29) in the second half during an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
Patty Rooney, from Kirkwood, bundled up for the cold weather before the start of an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
Patty Rooney, from Kirkwood, bundled up for the cold weather before the start of an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Bürki celebrates with his teammates after recording a shutout in an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
San Jose Earthquakes players wait as St. Louis City fans and players celebrate the second goal of the game during an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
St. Louis City forward Nicholas Gioacchin, center, celebrates his first half goal as teammates Klauss (9) and John Nelson (14) join him during an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
St. Louis City defender Kyle Hiebert, left, turns with the ball away from San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza (10) during an MLS soccer game at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis City defenders John Nelson, left, and Kyle Hiebert, right, converge on San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza, center, in the first half during an MLS soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis City SC at CityPark in St. Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
STL Soccer
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