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MLS St. Louis City SC

St. Louis CITY SC Blanks New York City FC 2-0, Earns First MLS Win of the Season

March 3, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
St. Louis City SC News Release


ST. LOUIS - St. Louis CITY SC defeated New York City FC 2-0 in their second MLS match of the season. CITY SC took the lead through Célio Pompeu who dribbled past two defenders before slotting home his first goal of the season in the 35th minute. Pompeu got in on the action again in the second half providing the assist to Sam Adeniran's goal in the 72nd minute.

Man of the Match

Célio Pompeu put in a man of the match performance against New York City FC en route to CITY SC's 2-0 win. Pompeu who hit the post early in the first half, opened his scoring account for the season int he 35th minute to give CITY SC the lead. Pompeu followed the goal with a second half assist on Sam Adeniran's goal in the 72nd minute.

Ten MLS Goals for Adeniran

Sam Adeniran found his second goal in his second MLS match of the season to seal the win for CITY SC against New York City FC. Adeniran opened his 2024 account against Real Salt Lake, after coming off the bench to secure a point in Matchday 1. With his goal tonight, Adeniran notched the 10th MLS goal of his career.

Postgame Notes

Célio Pompeu recorded his first goal of the season, becoming the fourth different player to score for CITY SC across all competitions this season

Pompeu now has three (3) goals and five (5) assists for CITY SC across all competitions over the past two seasons

Sam Adeniran scored his second goal in MLS play this season

Adeniran has scored 10 goals in his last 16 MLS games

Nikolas Dyhr made his first appearance for St. Louis CITY SC

Roman Bürki recorded his first clean sheet of the season

CITY SC are 11-0-1 when scoring the first goal at CITYPARK in regular season play

CITY SC moved to 2-0-1 at CITYPARK across all competitions in 2024

CITY SC is now 14-5-3 as the home team across all competitions over the past two years

Goal-Scoring Plays

STL - Célio Pompeu, 35th minute: Célio Pompeu scored with right footed shot from the center of the box with

STL - Sam Adeniran (Célio Pompeu), 72nd minute: Samuel Adeniran scored with left footed shot from the left side of the box

March 2, 2024 - CITYPARK (St. Louis, Missouri)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

St. Louis CITY SC 1 1 2

New York City FC 0 0 0

Scoring Summary

STL: Célio Pompeu, 35

STL: Sam Adeniran (Célio Pompeu), 72

Misconduct Summary

STL: Anthony Markanich (caution), 21

NYC: Andres Perea (caution), 28

STL: Indiana Vassilev (caution), 41

STL: Tomas Totland (caution), 45+4

NYC: James Sands (caution), 52

STL: Chris Durkin (caution), 82

NYC: James Sands (second caution/ejection), 82

NYC: Mitja Ilenic (caution), 88

STL: Tomáš Ostrák (caution), 90

Lineups

STL: GK Roman Bürki ©; D Tomas Totland, D Joakim Nilsson, D Tim Parker, D Anthony Markanich (Nikolas Dyhr 88'); M Eduard Löwen, M Chris Durkin, M Indiana Vassilev (João Klauss 59'), M Célio Pompeu, M Aziel Jackson (Tomáš Ostrák 68'); F Sam Adeniran (Nökkvi Thórisson 88')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Ben Lundt, D Michael Wentzel, D Akil Watts, M Hosei Kijima, D Jake Nerwinski

TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 20; OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 1

NYC: GK Matt Freese; D Birk Risa, D James Sands, D Thiago Martins ©, D Mitja Ilenic; M Andres Perea, M Santiago Rodriguez (Agustin Ojeda 73'), M Hannes Wolf (Julian Fernandez 67'), M Keaton Parks (Jovan Mijatovic 80'); F Monsef Bakrar, F Kevin O'Toole

Substitutes Not Used: GK Luis Barraza, F Alonso Martinez, M Christian McFarlane, M Andres Jasson, M Justin Haak, F Malachi Jones

TOTAL SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 1

Referee: Erick Lezama Pavon

Assistant Referees: Hayden Oscanao, Fermin Sanchez

Fourth Official: Jorge Luna

VAR: Sandro Ricci

Venue: CITYPARK

Weather: Clear, 56 degrees

ST. LOUIS CITY SC POSTGAME QUOTES

Audio: Recordings

Head Coach Bradley Carnell

Opening statement:

We came out today to send a message to show that we were a little bit angry with ourselves in the past performance, and to set things straight. And I've seen the intentions in training. I've seen the intentions in the messaging within the locker rooms.

And I thought over the 90 minutes we dominated a very, very good team here at CITY PARK, and yeah it was a good feeling to get back to winning ways.

But yeah, just really excited for the boys. Proud of them but it doesn't stop here. We can't celebrate too much, and yeah, if we carry on in this trend or this form, then we'll be just where we right need to be. So that's it.

Q. You didn't have a whole lot of practice time since the game. So, they made the changes that they needed to do. Was a lot of it internal?

Yeah, a lot of it was internal. We committed a lot of time to off the field sort of training in terms of video scouting. Reflecting about some past performances, and yeah, just trying to set things straight and make a case for who we are and who we are not.

Credit to the guys, though. Being totally accountable, responsible, and know that, yeah, there's something about this team that's special. And I see the amount of work these guys put in, when you don't quite get to see everything. I see the enjoyment as a group. I see the commitment and togetherness as a group. It was good to see the ship on the display tonight, similar to some performances of last season.

Q. Sam, his left foot -- on a role with that foot.

Yeah, I think that's the end product, right. I think Sam does a whole lot more than just that. I think everyone we brought in today, I think everyone who started today, I don't think across the board that there's anyone who should feel disappointed about their performance. I think it was a total complete performance today.

And that's the only way we can operate. We can only operate in this way and then when we do, yeah, more often than not, especially here at CITYPARK, things fall in our favor.

But yeah, I always say that the harder you work, the luckier you get, and today we dominated and were in total control in all phases.

Q. Last week you talked about how the team doesn't work without the intensity, and tonight everybody was jumping in the passing lanes, and defensively strong. Was that the impact --

Yeah, part of that, it's on me, right, because we set up a game plan, and sometimes it doesn't go according to the game plan, right. So, then I look at myself, and then it's always good to remind myself who I am as a coach and who I'm not.

So again, it's part of my pathway as well. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you have to learn. I feel I never want to start learning and always put the team in a good space to succeed. Yeah, it's how I set the tone, how I set the message with the group, and how we all get on board and feel belief and confidence that that's the right way.

So, I think tonight was a very good display of exactly that.

Q. The starting lineup was a big change from the last couple of games. Can you take us through the process to get to this lineup?

We just looked for the 11 most healthy players. It's been a challenge over the last couple of games. To roll out the back line that we have been accustomed to over the last couple of games, obviously in Houston, we had to rotate some lineups with the congestion and the fixture scheduling and what-have-you. Some of it by choice; some of it by need, and just proud of the guys that they all came through this okay.

It's all very worth it and beneficial to our group when we sustain the 90 minutes in the way that we played tonight, and everyone walks off smiling. And I think that's important because we put in a shift tonight. We put in a ton of work, and to see that the guys came through it okay was amazing.

Q. Seemed like the press was pretty high again, much like it was against Houston. Was that connected to having that back line that you just mentioned, the consistency in the back line again?

No, again, I spoke with the messaging, and it started from the front. The press for us never starts at the back. The strikers initiate it. The strikers read the passes. The strikers are supported by the ten, the sixes, and then the back line. If that's all synchronized and the orientation for us is always the ball, and then if we connect and force overloads and create the chaos that we like to control in certain moments, then it looks that way, exactly what you saw tonight.

Q. When it comes to forcing those overloads, does it change things when AZ is up with Sam as one of the two strikers, as opposed to him triggering the press from the second midfield spot where he was later on in the game?

Yeah, I think AZ, even Klauss to a certain extent, they have a knack of jumping at the right moment, right.

I think Sam is working his way to that category as well and he's picking up more passes and he's forcing more mistakes. Credit to these guys for all reading the right moment because if a team gets their rhythm, it can break you a little bit to not just your physical state, but also your mental state. And tonight, you can see the urge to fight against that and always to come out on top, and if you didn't get the trigger, then the next guy was there, and that's what we count on, right.

So, tonight was extremely fun to watch.

Q. It felt like there were a lot of opportunities from distance, too, and did you like the feel that maybe there was a little more aggression in trying to put it in the back of the net outside the area?

Yeah, I think against Houston at home we hit the post twice, if I'm not mistaken. Tonight, we hit the post twice, and we always encourage our guys to finish off with final plays. What does that mean: Is it the next pass; is it the shot from distance; is it the next runner; who overlapping, right. We give the guys freedom and flexibility to that, but we supply them with principles in the transition moments, whether they should stay on the ball, take the shot and knowing that we have some set piece weapons. If it gets deflected, then we can really put another layer of pressure on their back line.

Q. Nilsson appeared to be really active considering his hectic preseason into this first four-game window. Were you impressed with his play tonight?

Yeah, he's a warrior, right. So, he battles through. He commits to the team every single day. He's got a great attitude. He's a leader, not just by actions, but also in and around the locker room with the younger players, and those are the things you don't get to see.

But then to see him coming out on top like this tonight, is an indication and a reflection of exactly why we signed him, right. So, he's had a stuttered time with us, but finally get to see him a string of games, getting him strong, getting him healthy. I feel that the curve is trending in the right way for Joakim. I think the medical guys have done an amazing job to keep turning him around.

Obviously, there was a slight setback last game, but then he knows his body. He's an experienced guy. He knows when he should play through something. He knows when he should pull the plug on that one and take himself out.

So again, he has the experience under his belt, and he chooses wisely for the team.

Q. There were a couple of unfortunate moments the last couple games on defense, and today looked very sharp, very clean, and I wonder, you know, what are your thoughts on the defensive performance and how happy are you with the clean sheet today?

Yeah, good. I haven't seen it as critical as you maybe over the last couple games. I think as a collective, we have given up a lot less chances which is a good thing.

Today was clinical. Today was really tight. And it was really good that we were so connected but again, I said it starts from the front, and I think the guys put in a hell of a shift up front just to force those turnovers and to be relentless in the press and to come back in the game and to defend with ten players.

Credit to everyone. It was a complete performance.

Q. And you kind of touched on it at the beginning, but the disappointment of getting knocked out against Houston, do you think that was really helpful and inspiring for the team and will help carry you guys forward the next couple game?

One of the things is being honest about how we operate as a group, and it was good to see that the players themselves felt that there was something off about Tuesday. Didn't need me to tell them. They didn't need me to show a video. They didn't need me to lay the heavy hand. These guys, they know we give a better picture than that.

We are bitterly disappointed for sure, and even in that game, we had a couple chances. The pendulum could have swung another way, but that's done and dusted, and we're not looking backwards. We're only looking forwards, and what we could control is today's performance, and I think we did that.

So now we can't just rest here and think that's going to happen every single weekend. We have to be, again, modest, humble and remind us who we are and there's only one way for us, and that's tonight, how we played.

Q. You mentioned earlier when selecting your starting 11 that you were really looking at the 11 healthiest options. I was curious, we didn't see any of Blom tonight. Checking to see if that was just for some rest or if there was anything deeper?

We are just evaluating Jabs [Blom] at the moment. He did take a knock on his knee. So again, we are just waiting for some evaluation over the weekend. We'll know Monday morning. He's got a couple of things at the medical center, so that explains Jabs' absence.

Q. Obviously Célio had a special game, a goal and assist. What is it about his game that's starting to open up and take him to the next level as a player?

I think Célio, with certain opponents, he comes to life. You can see the attitude he plays with, the fire in his belly, and if you let New York City take control of the game like that, then it's going to be a tough evening for us.

So we need the characters on the team that bring a lot of fire, not just the technical ability, not just the pressing but we needed somebody, especially on that frontline, who has a bit of fire in their belly, and you can hear when he wins a dual, he's so emotional about it, and he really intimidates the opponent sometimes. It was good to see, and then he gets rewarded and he gets to reward his teammates as well.

Listen, we are always pushing Célio. It's a project, and Célio knows where he started, and he knows where he is currently and he knows where he wants it get to. It's up to us as coaches to encourage him and nurture him and to get him going in the right direction.

But yeah, he's fun to watch.

Q. Was there any uncertainty for you on the center-backs going into tonight for Joakim and Tim, definite in your mind?

I think after Thursday's training, we knew these guys could turn around. Felt in a much better place on Thursday after some evaluations and Friday's training. Both guys got to good speed, 90 percent of their max speeds and just to make sure they are ready to go.

Yeah, we managed them really well. So, in all good, sometimes you have to give up something and unfortunately Joakim couldn't play the full game the other night and we had to lose him for half the game pretty much, but then we gained a lot tonight as a group.

Yeah, I think it was a week in hindsight well-managed, and yeah, it's unfortunate that we don't go through in the Champions Cup but now we know where we have to put our full focus on.

Célio Pompeu

On how tonight felt...

I'm just so tired. We ran so much but it feels amazing. We show finally that's the first thing that we show our principals, how we want to perform as a team defending together and attacking together. So, it feels great. Feels great, what a night

On being in the starting eleven tonight...

When I have the chance to start, I want to do my best. I want to prove to everybody I can start, I can play, I can help the team in many ways. And that's what I do. But even if I come from the bench, I just want to do my best. Put my energy out there. Do my things in one versus ones, be aggressive, and yeah, of course, I'm always -- every day, I'm trying to prove something. But it's not like I'm trying to prove something for somebody, just for myself every day to be better, to push myself.

On how he's going to celebrate his goal...

Yeah, we don't have a lot of time to celebrate. We already play again next weekend, but just celebrate the night tonight. We celebrate tonight. I'm going to call my family from Brazil. They already texted me a lot, my whole family. So just going to call them and just celebrate the night, and we have a day off tomorrow and then the next day go back to practice. It's a new day and we have new games and just to keep going like that, keeping on this good track.

Sam Adeniran

On his goal tonight...

I think there were a couple of times where I was in that position before where I didn't take a shot. I saw that the goalkeeper was kind of off his line a little bit and wasn't towards his post. So, I thought I had an angle there. I think in those situations, you just kind of hit it as hard as you can and hope for the best. I mean, I know as a profession hearing from a professional you might think that we have like this, like super special tactic that we use, but sometimes it's just hit it as hard as you can and hope for the best.

On his creativity and comfortability factor...

I mean, I think it's always been something that's been a part of my game. I think it's just being in the position to show it or getting the opportunity to show it, but yeah, definitely, I do feel comfortable. You know, obviously, the guys helped me feel comfortable. You know, when you have a great group of guys around you, it's easy to, you know, be in your element and just feel comfortable.

On starting the season off with two goals so far...

I'm just happy that you know, we got the win and I'm happy that the team is moving forward, you know, especially after the game that we had on Tuesday. I'm just happy that we got that win. I mean, yeah, obviously as a striker, it's important to score goals. It's important to do well, but most important is to help the team so I mean, the fact that we got the win today against the tough opponent, you know, I'm really happy about that.

Joakim Nilsson

On having a stressful preseason and how tonight's win felt...

Like you said, I didn't have the preseason I hoped for and with a tight schedule I've been playing and the things that are going on with our center backs, I've been needing to play more minutes. My body felt like I felt in my last game against Houston and that I really had to fight through it. But today, I felt fresh again. Like I said the last time I was here, I want to play 90 minutes as much as possible in every game, but you need to prepare for that as well.

On how satisfied he is as a defender...

I think that together we were not happy with our performance, especially the last two games with the intensity of our defense, so we really wanted to have a high standard for this game, and I think we really showed that from minute one. We are hard to beat, and we make it hard for the opponent to create chances against us. I'm really happy with everyone out there today.

On recovering from Tuesday's game...

Yeah, I mean, recovery is a big thing that you have to do well as an athlete. I think that was the main thing now to get back into good physical shape. But a lot of things that we were not happy about was the mental performance. We didn't show it out on the field. I think that we wanted to show that for the city and for ourselves and we know that we have those qualities. Like I said, something that we kind of missed in those last two games, but tonight from minute one was fantastic.

Chris Durkin

On making adjustments from Tuesday's game to tonight's game...

Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, we did a lot of analysis on that game. A lot of breakdown between groups, defensive groups and offensive groups, and we looked ourselves in the mirror, like, questioning what we're doing wrong, and I think it just came down to energy. And you know, when we create that energy that creates that momentum, and then you know, I think we see you start you saw we started to fly. So, really proud of the group for turning it around. And I think that's the standard.

On learning the system and quality of his play...

Yeah, no, never happy, always wanting to improve. And I think this, the way that we play and the environment here, it just makes me so excited to play on the field. I really, really enjoyed it. And I think I can always improve on the ball stuff. You know, definitely there's a couple turnovers on the field that I want to clean up, but you know that soccer is going to make mistakes. So, learn from those mistakes, see what I did well and keep supporting the guys around me. You know I love being around to do and support him with his quality of play being there next to him and cleaning things up. So, really excited with how things are going and want to keep the momentum.

On the CITYPARK environment and experience here...

Yeah, it's incredible. You know, I think at times when there's rough spells, they help us get out of those with, you know, the energy, the energy they provide. And, you know, I've been to other venues in the past where you feel like there's just a wave coming on you where it's, you know, attack after attack and to feel like I'm a part of that. You can feel that with this crowd. And I think that's incredible. You feel that energy and it makes you want to keep going. So, I think that's incredible. You can really see how this is a home field advantage. And you know if we're going to keep selling out, I think that's awesome. So, it's a great soccer city, and we really appreciate the support from the fans.

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