Five matches into the season, Austin FC and St. Louis City SC have some uncanny similarities, including low possession totals, defenses putting up impressive numbers (that may not tell the whole story), and perhaps not as many goals as they'd like.
The teams will face off on Sunday at St. Louis' Energizer Park (née CityPark), at 1:15 pm, making it the third straight afternoon match (and second straight Sunday) they'll play.
Justin Horneker, who covers the Purina Gang and more for Talkin Soccer, was kind enough to answer three questions for one of Verde's nemesis teams — dating back to the club's first-ever MLS regular-season match in 2023, which we're just not going to talk about if that's okay with everyone.
Like Austin, St. Louis has a new head coach who was hired early in the offseason ... how has Olof Mellberg been so far, and does he have a distinctive style (or, at least, an approach) that's impacting the team?
The early returns on Olof Mellberg have been great, but there are some worrying trends that may become bigger talking points if his team can't find a way forward in the attack.
Defensively it's been great. St. Louis has only allowed one goal through 5 games this season and has been very good at limiting the dangerous opportunities that sank their 2024 hopes. Mellberg's switch to a three center back system has really solidified the back line, but it has come at the expense of the attack, so far.
City SC will press high up the pitch but have been interested in defending in a mid-block, blocking the passing lanes, and trying to force a turnover with the opposition pushed high, then countering through quick passing sequences designed with Marcel Hartel's ability to run onto a ball into space.
So far, the club has had good results, but have only scored from open play in one match this season.
Like Austin, St. Louis is toward the bottom of MLS possession rankings at this stage in the season. Is this indicative of how they play under Mellberg, or is there something else affecting their numbers?
The low possession numbers are absolutely a feature of the approach. While they aim to be more comfortable in possession, they are still – ideally – at their best when they can limit transition opportunities and force clubs to possess the ball as they stuff the middle.
It's been successful, and they're getting great goalkeeping from Roman Bürkii and Ben Lundt who will be starting against this weekend as Bürki recovers for a minor fracture in his hand.
So, tell us more about this Eduard Löwen red card last week ... and how St. Louis might adjust in his absence?
That's definitely the biggest question of the weekend. Edu Löwen hasn't been as effective in the attack this season, but his excellence on set pieces won three points for St. Louis the last time out at Energizer Park.
If Mellberg sticks with the 5-3-2 formation, then I'd expect Alfredo Morales to start, as he's been the like-for-like replacement for Löwen this season and has actually been a solid progressor of the ball. However, there could be a curve ball with Tomáš Ostrák ready to step back into regular minutes following complete recovery from his long-term injury. There's also the possibility of Mellberg throwing a curveball and pulling in homegrown midfielder Miggy Perez but that seems unlikely as he did not train with the first team this week.
Five matches into the season, Austin FC and St. Louis City SC have some uncanny similarities, including low possession totals, defenses putting up impressive numbers (that may not tell the whole story), and perhaps not as many goals as they'd like.
The teams will face off on Sunday at St. Louis' Energizer Park (née CityPark), at 1:15 pm, making it the third straight afternoon match (and second straight Sunday) they'll play.
Justin Horneker, who covers the Purina Gang and more for Talkin Soccer, was kind enough to answer three questions for one of Verde's nemesis teams — dating back to the club's first-ever MLS regular-season match in 2023, which we're just not going to talk about if that's okay with everyone.
Like Austin, St. Louis has a new head coach who was hired early in the offseason ... how has Olof Mellberg been so far, and does he have a distinctive style (or, at least, an approach) that's impacting the team?
The early returns on Olof Mellberg have been great, but there are some worrying trends that may become bigger talking points if his team can't find a way forward in the attack.
Defensively it's been great. St. Louis has only allowed one goal through 5 games this season and has been very good at limiting the dangerous opportunities that sank their 2024 hopes. Mellberg's switch to a three center back system has really solidified the back line, but it has come at the expense of the attack, so far.
City SC will press high up the pitch but have been interested in defending in a mid-block, blocking the passing lanes, and trying to force a turnover with the opposition pushed high, then countering through quick passing sequences designed with Marcel Hartel's ability to run onto a ball into space.
So far, the club has had good results, but have only scored from open play in one match this season.
Like Austin, St. Louis is toward the bottom of MLS possession rankings at this stage in the season. Is this indicative of how they play under Mellberg, or is there something else affecting their numbers?
The low possession numbers are absolutely a feature of the approach. While they aim to be more comfortable in possession, they are still – ideally – at their best when they can limit transition opportunities and force clubs to possess the ball as they stuff the middle.
It's been successful, and they're getting great goalkeeping from Roman Bürkii and Ben Lundt who will be starting against this weekend as Bürki recovers for a minor fracture in his hand.
So, tell us more about this Eduard Löwen red card last week ... and how St. Louis might adjust in his absence?
That's definitely the biggest question of the weekend. Edu Löwen hasn't been as effective in the attack this season, but his excellence on set pieces won three points for St. Louis the last time out at Energizer Park.
If Mellberg sticks with the 5-3-2 formation, then I'd expect Alfredo Morales to start, as he's been the like-for-like replacement for Löwen this season and has actually been a solid progressor of the ball. However, there could be a curve ball with Tomáš Ostrák ready to step back into regular minutes following complete recovery from his long-term injury. There's also the possibility of Mellberg throwing a curveball and pulling in homegrown midfielder Miggy Perez but that seems unlikely as he did not train with the first team this week.
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