While preparing for the MLS expansion draft, St. Louis City SC acquired a 2023 international spot from the Seattle Sounders.
That move came right after signing Swedish winger Rasmus Alm. He’s the eighth player occupying international spots on the expansion club. The team hits the pitch in 2023 in their own 22,500-seat soccer-specific stadium, in downtown St. Louis.
The winger joins players like attacking midfielder Aziel Jackson, a heavily scouted, award-winning MLS Next Pro talent.
Another St. Louis threat is defensive midfielder Eduard Lowen, a German international. It was upon his signing last June that head coach Bradley Carnell hinted at what the club plans to show supporters.
St. Louis City SC approached the MLS expansion draft already committed to an exciting, attacking force. The team just hasn’t said so officially.
He said the Lowen represents an important part of the St. Louis system and style of play.
That style is attacking. Carnell focused on how Lowen’s skills fit what supporters will see on the St. Louis pitch. He called it St. Louis City DNA.
Scouts find Lowen rich in strengths. His only weaknesses are in aerial duels and passing. Yet one of his greatest strengths is contributing key passes, often as part of set-pieces – his single greatest strength.
He likes to dribble, tackle, and play long balls.
These midfielders also are joined by Jared Stroud. He’s got three seasons in the MLS books and comes to St. Louis potentially to serve in a variety of positions. If this were baseball, he might become a utility infielder.
Also signed: Danish winger Isak Jensen and midfielder Tomas Ostrak.
Then when the time came for the expansion draft, St. Louis City SC made five selections and two trades. The selections featured Inter Miami midfielder Indiana Vassilev, two forwards, and two backs.
In the two trades, St. Louis sent forward Jake La Cava, one of their selections, to Inter Miami. The team finished off their backline with Houston Dynamo FC Captain Tim Parker. Houston retains part of the player’s budget through 2024.
They promoted two defenders from City2, plus midfielders Celio Pompeu Max Schneider, and Akil Watts. Of these players, the spotlight shines brightest on Watts, who led City2 in assists during the MLS NEXT Pro season.
They’ve also signed goalkeeper Roman Burki, plus defenders Kyle Hiebert and Joakim Nilsson.
By building from the midfield out, St. Louis SC promises to be an exciting team on the attack. And that comes from the first whistle.
That whistle will come soon.