St. Louis CITY SC have taken another step toward potentially the greatest expansion season in MLS history, clinching the first Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs spot in the Western Conference.
The first-year club's achievement arrived after a 0-0 draw vs. LAFC in Matchday 33, leaving them on pace for ~56 points this year. For comparison, LAFC's 2018 squad achieved the best regular season for an MLS expansion team by earning 57 points.
Now, in the buildup to Decision Day on Oct. 21, St. Louis will look to lock in the West's No. 1 seed and secure home-field advantage at CITYPARK.
Key pieces
While smashing expectations in their inaugural campaign, St. Louis have relied on a Best XI-caliber performance from goalkeeper Roman BĆ¼rki, an MLS All-Star alongside center back Tim Parker. Their two Designated Players ā striker JoĆ£o Klauss and midfielder Eduard Lƶwen ā are hugely influential and further reflect the club's German Bundesliga influence. US international forward Nicholas Gioacchini is their leading scorer with 10 goals.
The Midwestern club, led by head coach Bradley Carnell and assembled by sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, uses a high-pressure, front-foot play style. It's proven mighty effective, leading to several expansion club records.
Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs
MLS Cup presented by Audi is set for Dec. 9, while the playoffs begin Oct. 25-26 with Wild Card matches. All games can be watched on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
- Seeds 1-7 in each conference qualify for the Round One Best-of-3 series.
- Seeds 8-9 in each conference qualify for the Wild Card matches.
