St Louis City can claim their first points at the Leagues Cup when they open that tournament against Dallas at CityPark on Saturday.
Last weekend, St Louis claimed a 1-1 draw in MLS action versus Sporting Kansas City, while the Toros collected that same result against the New England Revolution.
Match preview
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Draws have been the name of the game for St Louis City throughout the 2024 MLS campaign, and they picked up a league-leading 11th this season last weekend.
On four occasions in the 2024 regular season, they have failed to win when scoring the opening goal, accounting for nine points dropped.
As a result, John Hackworth's men are 10 points below the Western Conference playoff line rather than being just a point behind that line.
This year, their only four domestic victories have occurred at CityPark, though they have only won one of their previous seven MLS home fixtures.
At the 2023 Leagues Cup, their only two matches took place at CityPark, with the home side losing both times by a combined score of 6-1, finishing bottom of their group.
They are undefeated in their previous two home games versus the Toros, with the earlier meeting against them this year resulting in a 0-0 draw.
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Over the past few encounters, we have seen slight progress from Dallas under interim manager Peter Luccin, as they have points in three successive domestic contests.
It is a baby step forward, but there is still much to be done in their quest to qualify for a third successive post-season, currently three points below that line in the Western Conference.
The thing holding them back from progressing up the table has been their away form, as the Toros are one of two MLS sides this year without a road victory, the other being St Louis City.
Saturday will be the first time they play a Leagues Cup match outside Toyota Stadium, while they have never lost a group fixture in this tournament.
Only twice in their history have they ever been eliminated from a continental tournament in the group stage, at the 2007 North American SuperLiga and the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Last season, Dallas went undefeated in the group phase, finishing second behind Charlotte FC, losing to the eventual champions Inter Miami in the round of 16 on penalties.
Team News
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Joakim Nilsson missed the last St Louis match with a knock, Joao Klauss and Rasmus Alm are dealing with knee injuries, while neither Celio Pompeu nor Tomas Ostrak will be back this season as they are recovering from a leg injury and ankle tendon surgery, respectively.
The club recently signed former Vancouver Whitecaps striker Simon Becher from the Danish top flight, though the American may not be registered in time for this match.
Their only goal against SKC came courtesy of Nokkvi Thorisson three minutes before the end of the opening half, his third of the MLS campaign.
Dallas were without Asier Illarramendi against New England due to a sore ankle, Liam Fraser has a leg issue, Patrickson Delgado is dealing with a problem in his knee and Jesus Ferreira could be sidelined with a hamstring strain.
Alan Velasco continues to recover from a torn ACL and MCL, Paxton Pomykal is out for the year after tearing some cartilage in his left knee and Geovane Jesus is also out for the remainder of the campaign with an ACL tear.
A 95th-minute penalty converted by Paul Arriola rescued them against the Revs last weekend, his third of the domestic campaign.
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Burki; Hiebert, Parker, Reid; Totland, Girdwood-Reich, Blom, Klein; Lowen; Thorisson, Glover
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Arriola, Ibeagha, Tafari, Farfan; Sainte, Lletget; Ansah, Farrington, Junqua; Kamungo
We say: St Louis City 1-1 Dallas (St Louis wins on penalties)
Ties may be one of the few consistencies we have seen from St Louis City this season, and should that transpire again on Saturday, we trust the reflexes of their superstar goalkeeper Roman Burki to lead them to victory.
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Joel Lefevre
