St. Louis CITY SC just pulled off a massive upset Saturday night, taking down first-place Houston Dynamo FC, 2-1, at Energizer Park. This win wasn’t just big; it extended their league unbeaten streak to an incredible 11 straight games, tallying 8 wins and 3 draws. The Western Conference is officially on notice, especially with them climbing the table.
Kicking the West’s Top Team Down a Peg
This “statement result” wasn’t a fluke. St. Louis brought the heat on Matchday 22, especially considering Houston rolled in atop the West with their own impressive eight-game unbeaten run. Striker Simon Becher got things started early, finding the net in the 23rd minute for his third goal in as many games, talk about being on fire! Houston tried to claw their way back, with Ibrahim Aliyu, who came off the bench, netting the equalizer in the 75th minute. But St. Louis wasn’t having it. Dante Polvara struck only 10 minutes later, securing all three points and the huge upset. Becher put it best, talking about their unwavering identity: “We have that confidence now… to play against anybody in this league.” He said they specifically wanted to establish their identity against a very good Houston team, and not change how they play. It’s gotta give them even more confidence going forward, right?
Saying Goodbye to Stars But Not Losing A Step
What’s truly wild about this run is how St. Louis is doing it amidst some serious roster shake-ups. Saturday’s win was an emotional farewell for Eduard Löwen, a longtime Designated Player. He was dressed in street clothes, omitted from the lineup ahead of a reported trade to the San Jose Earthquakes. His teammates literally tossed the midfielder into the air after the final whistle, bidding him a poignant farewell. This isn’t even the first big name to leave; Marcel Hartel was transferred to 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96 earlier this month. Yet, Coach Yoann Damet’s squad is thriving, not just competing. His explanation is simple: “The key is the team. It’s as simple as that,” Damet told reporters. “The team comes first.” Sounds like they’re absolutely living that motto, and it’s paying off big.
With this huge win, St. Louis CITY SC is now officially level on 33 points with the fourth-place San Jose Earthquakes in the Western Conference standings. Coach Damet noted the “spirit for 98, 99 minutes was incredible,” and he wanted the guys to “enjoy that feeling in the locker room now.” Losing key players and still pulling off an upset against the West’s top team? This team’s identity is rock solid. You gotta wonder how high they can climb, and how far that “team first” mentality can take them in the conference. What a ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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