In their final preseason match, St. Louis CITY SC fell 2-1 to Atlanta United FC in a closely contested encounter at CITYPARK. An action-packed first half saw Atlanta United’s Luiz Araújo and Thiago Almada as well as St. Louis CITY SC’s forward João Klauss get on the scoresheet.
St. Louis CITY SC started the game brightly, dominating the early possession and pressing high, but it was Atlanta United who drew first blood, as Araújo’s shot deflected into the back of the net 10 minutes in.
CITY SC found the equalizer in the 28th minute through Klauss who buried Eduard Löwen’s cross inside the box. Klauss thought he had another goal four minutes later, but it was flagged for offside by the referee.
Atlanta United won a penalty which was converted by Thiago Almada in the 43rd minute to close out an eventful first half with a 2-1 lead.
Both sides enjoyed spells of possession in the second half, probing for the right moment to mount an attack. CITY SC created a few chances late in the game as they searched for the equalizer, but their efforts were not enough to change the score line on the day.
St. Louis CITY SC’s next match will be away to Austin FC in the club’s historic, inaugural MLS season opener on Saturday, February 25.
STARTING XI
Roman Bürki, Jake Nerwinski, Tim Parker, Kyle Hiebert, John Nelson, Eduard Löwen (Aziel Jackson 80’), Njabulo Blom (Miguel Perez 60’), Tomáš Ostrák (Indiana Vassilev 60’), Rasmus Alm (Célio Pompeu 73’), Jared Stroud (Isak Jensen 73’), João Klauss
