In the first preseason match of the 2023 season, St. Louis CITY SC and last year’s Eastern Conference champions played to a 2-2 draw. Forwards João Klauss and Niko Gioacchini scored on either side of the half to earn a point on the day.
Philadelphia Union’s Kai Wagner gave the opposition the early lead nine minutes in before St. Louis CITY forward João Klauss equalized in the 41st minute to level the match. A quick build up play from Owen O’Malley and Tim Parker on the right ends with Klauss converting a 1v1 chance just before halftime.
Both teams fielded a new 11 to start the second half. Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made a double save in the 52nd minute to keep the match even at 1-1. Gino Portalla put the Union up 2-1 in the 75th minute from a corner kick before Niko Gioacchini won and converted a penalty in the 86th minute.
STARTING XI
First Half
Roman Bürki, Owen O’Malley, Tim Parker, Josh Yaro, Selmir Pidro, Eduard Löwen, Miguel Perez, Rasmus Alm, Indiana Vassilev, Isak Jensen, João Klauss
Second Half
Ben Lundt, Jake Nerwinski, Lucas Bartlett, Kyle Hiebert, John Nelson, Akil Watts, Tomáš Ostrák, Aziel Jackson, Jared Stroud, Samuel Adeniran, Niko Gioacchini
