(Photo Credit: Nick Yahl – Arch City Sports)
Saint Louis FC is Kansas City bound. After defeating Minnesota United FC on penalty kicks Wednesday night at World Wide Technology Park the team moves on to face Sporting KC in the fourth round of US Open Cup on Tuesday, June 16.
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Oh baby @SaintLouisFC is going to Sporting Park to take on @SportingKC! Defeat Minnesota on PK’s @USL @StLouligans http://t.co/TJSmBD85ja
In a game that had its ups and downs Saint Louis head coach Dale Schilly thought his team put in the best performance to date.
“Tonight was our best performance in terms of keeping the other team away from the goal and disrupting their rhythm,” Schilly said afterwards.
Saint Louis came out much more balanced with a new 4-1-4-1 rotation that allowed it to open up the field and create a number of chances in front of net. Throughout the first half Saint Louis kept Minnesota backed up into its own zone, but failed to put a quality chance on frame.
The second half was a much different story as Saint Louis came out with a higher intensity. Saint Louis fell down 1-0 on a rebound goal by JC Banks not long into the half that set the crowd quiet.
Though moments later Jermie Lynch had one of the best opportunities. In the 56th minute Lynch came up just a tad short on a beautiful ball from Patrick Doody.
Doody and James Musa each played a number of excellent crosses into the box throughout the game, but the Minnesota defense held firm. Saint Louis outshot Minnesota 19-10 and held a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The captain Musa said post game he thought the new style worked well.
“We just try and keep the pitch big. I think we executed to perfection tonight. We we’re told to be patient on the ball and to pick and choose our times to go forward which I thought we did really well,“ said Musa.
Despite trialing, the team’s fight paid off as substitute Charles Renken was taken down in the box in the 79th minute. Bryan Gaul then connected on the penalty kick to knot the game up at 1-1. Gaul who nearly won the game in the 90th minute for Saint Louis would later be sent off in extra time for an altercation with a Minnesota United player.
As a result of his red card Gaul will be unavailable to play in the upcoming matchup with Sporting KC. Since he received the red card in a tournament game he is suspended for the next tournament game not the next game Saint Louis plays.
After a 30 minute extra time period in which neither team scored the game went into penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Mark Pais registered a save before Brandon Barklage, Doody, and Oskar Gasecki each converted on their opportunities to give Saint Louis the win.
Following the victory fans and supporters stormed the field to celebrate with the players in what was surely a historic moment for the club and the city of Saint Louis.
STLFC Goalkeeper Mark Pais addressing media 5-27-15
Pais said in his post game press conference of the penalties, “I calmed myself and tried to tune everything else out and get into my focused point. I felt like I waited to the very last second and saw him open his hips and fortunately it was within my range that I could push it by the post.”
As a whole echoing what Schilly said, this was Saint Louis’ best all around game. From the starters to especially the subs it seemed as though they clicked better than Minnesota. Musa talked about how Minnesota allowed Saint Louis to play its own game, which made the difference.
“Fresh legs later on, Charles [Renken] was fantastic running with players and Barklage gave us a little energy going forward,” Musa said.
Having Barklage return from injury and Renken sub in gave Saint Louis a new life late in the second half that appeared to be the difference maker. Once the game was all tied up, the momentum backed by the crowd favored Saint Louis.
Next up Saint Louis travels to take on a familiar opponent in Louisville FC. The pair tied 3-3 this past Saturday and Louisville won in the first game of the season at Louisville 2-0.
When asked how the team can build on defeating a tough team like Minnesota heading into another tough matchup around the corner the head coach had this to say.
“Through this stretch of injuries we’ve been missing five or so starters and we’ve had to go pretty deep into the bench. One of the reasons we got the win tonight was because we were able to sustain a fitness level for 120 minutes. We’ve got a deep bench and we’ll use fresh legs Saturday if it’s the right thing to do,” Schilly said.
Fresh legs will be the key as Saint Louis continues league play and through the Open Cup. The team could be without Richard Dixon for some time in addition to his departure to play with Jamaican national team. Dixon suffered a knee injury in the first half on Wednesday nights contest, but is unsure of his status moving forward.
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