The Club’s Away Match vs. Chicago Fire FC This Weekend Marks The First Official Game in Team History
St. Louis CITY SC’s first official game is here. The club’s inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season is still a few years away, but STL CITY’s U17 academy team will represent the first players to don the club’s crest and colors in an official match when the team takes on Chicago Fire FC U17 at SeatGeek Stadium, on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CST.
“We can’t wait to get started,” said Lutz Pfannenstiel, St. Louis CITY SC Sporting Director and Acting Academy Head Coach. “Over the last few months, we’ve been extremely productive in laying the groundwork of our team and assembling our rosters. The players have been working very hard and we are excited to make history for our club and our fans with the first-ever CITY SC match.”
St. Louis CITY will face a tough Chicago Fire FC U17 side, fresh off a 2-2 draw with Vardar in their MLS NEXT opener last week. While the game should provide a good test for STL CITY’s U17s, the focus is on how the team can continue to develop as a unit and get familiar with the club’s playing philosophy.
“We are expecting a good battle, but for us the focus is not solely on the result,” explains Luis Swisher, St. Louis CITY Academy Assistant Coach. “Our focus is on implementing our style of play – intense, high pressing, and hardworking. This will help us to shape our soccer identity and will setup St. Louis CITY SC to be competitive at all levels, not just immediately, but for years to come.”
