St. Louis City SC stormed into the last 16 of the Leagues Cup on Saturday night. The German “Block” once again proved to be reliable in the 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers
In the group stage of the Leagues Cup, St. Louis were only beaten by FC Juarez, but progressed to the round of 16 in second place. The Portland Timbers awaited them on Saturday night, but they were unable to find a suitable weapon against the German “block” in the team.
In front of keeper Bürki (previously BVB), midfield director Löwen (previously VfL Bochum) and the attacking duo Teuchert (previously Hannover 96) and Hartel (previously FC St. Pauli) also started. After a goalless first half, in which St. Louis had hit the post twice on his own, it was Teuchert who was in the right place at the second post after a deflected shot from Hartel and tucked the ball into the bottom left corner (51′).
The quick response in a generally open game was not long in coming: After an uncleanly cleared corner, Bravo placed his left-footed shot from distance fantastically next to the right-hand post – Bürki was completely without a chance (54′). Portland were more dangerous after that, but St. Louis finally took the game into their own hands in the 83rd minute: After a corner was taken short, Löwen sensitively served Hartel on the right side of the penalty area, who shot in humorlessly
23 goals in 26 home games for Löwen
The 3:1 final score was again set up by Löwen, the ball bounced somewhat luckily to Becher after a fine solo run, who sensationally lifted it into the top right-hand corner (87′). All three goalscorers for the home side scored their second competitive goal for their club. In addition, all six goals in the Leagues Cup to date have been scored by the attacking trio.
And Löwen once again proved how well he likes home games at CITYPARK: he has now been involved in 23 goals (eight goals, 15 assists) in just 26 games on home turf
Club America now await in the round of 16 on Tuesday, and Hartel & Co. have their sights firmly set on the quarter-finals.
