It's officially match week.
As the city of St. Louis prepares for its CONCACAF Champions Cup debut on February 20 against Houston Dynamo, City supporters will have to adjust to a few new faces, and get used to seeing some of the most memorable players from last season’s inaugural campaign wearing something other than City Red. The core largely stays the same, but with some big contributors moving on, there will be plenty of new looks as Carnell and company look to improve upon a stellar first season.
Before we get into changing faces, let’s highlight the securing of the staff for another year. Head coach Bradley Carnell was extended through 2025, adding an additional year to his contract after topping the Western Conference in the 2023 regular season campaign. He will look to improve upon that success, where fans especially are clamoring for better tournament appearances. Unceremonious exits from the US Open Cup, Leagues Cup, and MLS Playoffs were the only blemishes on what was otherwise a dream inaugural season for St. Louis.
Moving On
Nicholas Gioacchini
Let’s rip the bandage off right away - swaggering fan favorite Nicholas Gioacchini departed St. Louis City SC on January 24, completing a move to Serie B contender Como 1907. The dual American and Italian international takes with him 11 goal contributions in MLS play, a significant chunk of City’s 62 goals scored in the league last season. Niko will be sorely missed strategically and emotionally as one of the first faces of the club.
Jared Stroud
Love him or not, Jared Stroud made his mark on St. Louis in 2023. Acquired from Austin FC in late 2022, Stroud was not always consistent in quality, but always brought fireworks. 11 goal contributions of his own will be yet another difficult hole to fill. Stroud was sold on December 12, and we can expect him to feature for DC United at CITYPARK on March 23.
Lucas Bartlett
Having joined St. Louis City SC in early March of last year, Bartlett came on as an emergency signing when St. Louis found itself in an early season injury crisis on the back line. He appeared in 14 matches, and the last of which took place on July 13. He joins Jared Stroud in Washington DC, as the two were packaged to acquire Chris Durkin.
John Nelson
The 25-year-old journeyman wing defender was an early contributor, but fell off over time as the season progressed and the St. Louis defense evolved. Nelson found a home with the LA Galaxy, his fourth MLS outfit in as many years. City may see him again on March 16 when the team heads west to take on the Galaxy.
Other Departures
Jon Bell - 5 2023 appearances - Seattle Sounders
Max Schneider - 0 2023 appearances - Indy Eleven (USL)
Michael Creek - 0 2023 appearances - no club
Owen O’Malley - 0 2023 appearances - no club
Loaned Out
Miguel Perez
The 18-year-old St. Louis native is headed south, joining Birmingham Legion for the 2024 USL campaign. A promising talent featuring in quite a few senior matches, Miggy will get some well-deserved and much-needed minutes in USL as he builds experience as a professional midfielder.
Isak Jensen
The Danish winger remains loaned out for the rest of the European season, having accumulated 11 appearances for Danish side Viborg FF so far in their 2023/2024 campaign. With City’s departed offensive production, Jensen could bring fresh perspective upon his return in the summer.
Selmir Pidro
Pidro remains with FC Zlin in the Czech League, having temporarily departed City last September. Similar to Jensen, at time of writing he has appeared 11 times for Zlin, featuring as a left midfielder and left back. He will return to City in June.
New Arrivals
Chris Durkin
Durkin joined St. Louis City SC from DC United as part of a swap + cash deal that sent Jared Stroud and Lucas Bartlett to the nation’s capital. The Virginia native is contracted through 2024 with a club option for an additional year. His prowess and flexibility as CDM is a much-needed depth piece for City, as many times in 2023 the team’s game by game success hinged on the participation and effectiveness of standout Njabulo Blom.
Tomas Totland
Totland was just one of St. Louis’ international signings during the offseason. The Norwegian right back comes to City from Swedish club Hacken on a three-year deal, one half of the pre-campaign enhancement to City’s shaky defensive wings.
Nikolas Dyhr
Complementing Totland is Nikolas Dyhr, a young, promising left back signed from FC Midtjylland. A true modern defender, look for Dyhr to impact both the defending and attacking phases of the game in his contracted three years with City.
Draft Picks
Hosei Kijima - Wake Forest university, midfielder
Brendan McSorley - Providence College, forward