St Louis City salvage victory over Sporting KC to resume MLS campaign
Major League Soccer returns from an eight-week FIFA World Cup hiatus with a dramatic turnaround in St Louis.
St Louis City have secured a 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Thursday night, marking the resumption of Major League Soccer play following an eight-week break for the FIFA World Cup. The result, delivered via a late penalty kick, underscores the competitive intensity returning to the league after the international hiatus.
Eduard Löwen scored the decisive penalty in the 86th minute, his second goal of the season, to put St Louis City ahead for good. The spot-kick was awarded after a handball foul on Sporting Kansas City defender Ethan Bartlow, who had entered the match in the 75th minute. The goal overturned a two-goal deficit, salvaging the win for the hosts.
St Louis City had established a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half. Jeong Sang-bin opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a bicycle kick, netting his second goal in just his ninth appearance. Marcel Hartel doubled the advantage in the 36th minute, assisted by Simon Becher and Löwen, extending his personal tally to four goals this season.
Sporting Kansas City mounted a significant comeback in the second half. Rookie forward Capita Capemba reduced the deficit to 2-1 at halftime with an unassisted long-range strike. Dejan Joveljić then equalised in the 76th minute, receiving a pass from Manu García to level the score at 2-2 and put pressure on the home side.
The victory maintains St Louis City’s strong recent form, with the club now sitting at 4-0-1 in its last five matches. Conversely, Sporting Kansas City remain in a challenging position, holding a record of 3-10-2. Both teams are scheduled to play again on Wednesday, with Sporting Kansas City hosting Minnesota United and St Louis City travelling to face the Los Angeles Galaxy.
