The 9,489 fans at the match set a new MLS NEXT Pro attendance record
St. Louis CITY2 picked up points for the third consecutive match, crushing Real Monarchs 4-0 in a dominant offensive showing. CITY2 scored twice in each half en route to the team’s second straight home victory.
CITY2 had their way in the early going, sending multiple strikes on frame that were swallowed up by Real Monarchs’ goalkeeper. In the 38th minute, the home side broke through when midfielder Selmir Pidro laced a cross into the box and found the head of midfielder John Klein as he maneuvered towards the goal. CITY2 extended their lead just a few minutes later, as midfielder Max Schneider linked up with defender Joakim Nilsson for a header off a corner kick.
For the twelfth time this season, CITY2 held their opponent scoreless in the first half. The home team bottled up Real Monarchs’ attack, accumulating nine (9) shots on goal while shutting the visitors out in that department during the first frame.
The second half featured much of the same for CITY2. In the 63rd minute, action off a CITY2 free kick led to the ball squirting into the box, and Klein flicked the loose ball home to tally his team-leading ninth goal of the season.
Later in the half, the visitors came close to stealing one back after a header glanced off the crossbar and back in front of the net. Real Monarchs sent the rebound back towards goal, but the CITY2 backline stepped in and cleared the danger.
With full time approaching, midfielder Wan Kuzain pushed the lead to four after corralling a shot attempt that had been deflected, booting it home from a few yards out.
Goalkeeper Eric Walker earned his second clean sheet of the season.
UP NEXT
CITY2 heads north for an away meeting with Minnesota United FC 2 on Sunday, August 13.
STARTING LINEUP
Eric Walker, Sergio Rivas, Michael Wentzel ©, Joakim Nilsson (Josh Maher 78’), Selmir Pidro (AJ Palazzolo 78’), Max Schneider, Miguel Perez (Dida Armstrong 78’), Faysal Bettache (Ryley Gibbs 84’), Isak Jensen (Ezra Armstrong 78’), John Klein (Wan Kuzain 63’), Caden Glover
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED:
Nick Bishop, Nolan McGuire, Larsen Hackworth
