St. Louis City SC defeated Charlotte FC 3-1 in the club’s first-ever home game at a sold out CITYPARK in front of 22,423 fans. The atmosphere in the brand-new stadium was goosebump inducing.
Unreal atmosphere in @stlCITYPARK. Join @TaylorTwellman and me right now on #MLSSeasonPass on the @AppleTV app for @stlCITYsc’s first ever home match as they host @CharlotteFC. #STLvCLT pic.twitter.com/PMIgdQ6Yc4
— Jake Zivin (@JakeZivin) March 5, 2023
The first of many in the STL. #AllForCITY pic.twitter.com/PNEBjYexR0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 5, 2023
Epic scenes. @stlCITYsc x #AllForCITY TIFO pic.twitter.com/7SpwRfCamX
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 5, 2023
A major defensive error from Charlotte took place in the 71st minute when center back Adilson Malanda inexplicably passed the ball directly to João Klauss who then chipped the goalkeeper.
João Klauss goal vs. Charlotte
Klauss feelin' little chippy #AllForCITY | https://t.co/jmFTzkwVY4 pic.twitter.com/3wnCI9cHeO
— St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) March 5, 2023
This looks almost identical to the goal Jared Stroud scored against Austin FC a week ago.
Klauss’ goal put the game to bed, however it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the hosts. St. Louis City once again came from behind to win the game after Enzo Copetti gave Charlotte the lead in the 25th minute.
The first MLS goal at CITYPARK belongs to Enzo Copetti.
What a way to open his @CharlotteFC account! pic.twitter.com/JgyQW2C5Ik— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 5, 2023
St. Louis City responded well to going behind and scored twice just before halftime to go into the break with all the momentum. Oddly enough the first St. Louis City goal scored at CITYPARK wasn’t even by a St. Louis player. A wayward header from Charlotte defender Bill Tuiloma snuck into the net to level the game.
St. Louis CITY SC cash in for their first ever goal at CITYPARK, courtesy of a Bill Tuiloma own goal! STL tie it up. #AllForCITY 1-1 #ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/fNnxtETQac
— MLS NETWORK (@mlsnetwork) March 5, 2023
In first half stoppage time a penalty was given to St. Louis City after a clear handball in the box against Charlotte. Eduard Löwen blasted his penalty kick into the upper 90 to give St. Louis City their first lead at CITYPARK.
The first @stlCITYsc goal (scored by a St. Louis player) at CITYPARK!
Eduard Löwen delivers. #AllForCITY pic.twitter.com/fp33WGQdSA— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 5, 2023
#AllforCity take their first ever lead at CITYPARK and the @stlouligans go wild! pic.twitter.com/FrIwuqFPln
— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) March 5, 2023
Klauss’ gift of a goal in the 71st minute put to bed any thoughts of a Charlotte comeback and the new kids on the Major League Soccer block find themselves with six points from their first two games. They are only the fourth expansion team in history to win both of their first two games.
From what we saw on Saturday, CITYPARK might become one of the must-visit venues in this league.
