WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: ST. LOUIS CITY SC
Welcome back to What You Need To Know, a preview for Austin FC fans to check in on their next opponent.
Hello Verde Faithful!
After a trip to the rainy and soggy 0-0 draw in the Pacific Northwest last Saturday Austin returns to action at Q2 in what could be wet and chilly conditions (for Austin). The draw was an ugly result for everyone involved, but it was also a success considering Austin’s strategy to be defensive, stay compact, and above all try to keep Seattle off the scoreboard. The final stats are ugly (and were even uglier in the first half) but in MLS play, getting road points is important. Now we see if Austin can get a better result at home.
History vs. Austin FC:
Austin has lost both matches to St Louis City (3-2 at home and 6-3 away). Last season’s opener also created one of the most memorable moments in Austin FC history.
Recent Matches:
St. Louis City won 2-0 at home against lowly NYCFC last weekend and drew their opening match 1-1 with Real Salt Lake.
Players to Watch:
Roman Bürki
The 2023 MLS Keeper of the Year came to St. Louis from Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga before their inaugural season. He was a huge part of how they were able to outperform their xG at a seemingly unsustainable pace and has kept that same level of performance through two games this season.
Célio Pompeu
The Brazilian forward has emerged as a starter with the transfer of Nicholas Gioacchini and has already scored and assisted a goal. He plays on the left and tries to cut inside, a combination that Austin has always struggled with.
Aziel Jackson
The advanced midfielder hasn’t gotten on the scoresheet this season, but when you watch St Louis play he’s the player in the center of the action, distributing out wide or up front and limiting his time on the ball will be a key part of what Austin FC’s midfield needs to do to succeed.
Keys to the Match:
Pressure vs. Possession
St. Louis is widely acknowledged as a team that applies pressure on the opposition all over the pitch, closing down space and using transition moments to attack teams who are not set defensively. It’s a strategy that has worked incredibly well as long as the opposition tries to maintain possession and keep the ball. Toward the end of the 2023 season and playoffs teams adjusted, sitting deep and compact, letting St. Louis have the ball and force them to create for themselves. Austin, a team known for playing a possession game before this season, has such terrible results against them precisely for this reason. If Austin attempts to return to those tactics, expect the same kinds of scoreline as last year.
Up in the Air
Led by Tim Parker, St Louis features a lot of size on their roster, which makes them a very dangerous set-piece team. Austin has already given up 23 corners this season (11.5 per match) and can’t let that trend continue if they expect to keep St. Louis off the scoreboard.
Take the shot
Austin FC is currently tied for last in the league on shots (11) and shots on target (3) for teams that have played two matches so far this season. As Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of shots you don’t take.” Austin has to get into better positions and take shots when they get the ball there in order to score goals. It sounds simple, right?
See you at Q2!
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT SPECHT
