St. Louis CITY’s second season began promisingly—extending Bradley Carnell’s contract through 2025, playing in their first CONCACAF Champions Cup, and starting the MLS season unbeaten in 5 games. But mounting injuries and a franchise-worst 9-game winless streak led to Carnell’s dismissal in early July. Under interim coach John Hackworth, CITY finished 12th in the Western Conference (37 points, 1.09 ppg), missing the playoffs.
Key Offseason Moves
OUT: Bell, Nelson (expired contracts); Bartlett, Stroud (to D.C. United); Gioacchini (sold to Como 1907).
IN: Durkin (from D.C. United), Totland (BK Häcken), Kijima (SuperDraft)
Competition Notes
MLS initially barred all teams from the 2024 U.S. Open Cup, later allowing only 8 teams to participate. CITY was not allowed.
Season Summary
February (1-1-1)
Before the season kicked off, St. Louis CITY made several coaching changes. John Hackworth was promoted from Director of Coaching to Technical Director, overseeing all levels from academy to first team. Rainer Kraft joined as assistant coach, Mitch Hildebrandt moved from Performance Analyst to Assistant Coach, and John Miglarese transitioned to CITY2’s coaching staff.
Feb 20 v. Houston (CCC Round 1, Leg 1) – Win 2-1
CITY’s first-ever CONCACAF Champions Cup match started quietly before Tim Parker opened the scoring (62′)—his second straight season scoring CITY’s first goal. Houston equalized (72′), but newly signed Hosei Kijima, subbed on in the 85th minute, scored the winner in the 90th. NOTABLES: 1st CCC win; Kijima had signed his contract that morning. INJURIES: Vassilev, fractured wrist (62′).
Feb 24 v. Real Salt Lake – Tie 1-1
Another scoreless first half. With Tim Parker (33′) and replacement Josh Yaro both injured, RSL exploited the defensive disarray when Chicho Arango scored (74′). Löwen’s long pass found Adeniran for the equalizer (79′), salvaging a point despite late chances for both sides.
Feb 27 @ Houston (CCC Round 1, Leg 2) – Loss 0-1 (2-2 agg)
Carrying a 2-1 aggregate lead, CITY needed only a draw to advance. Adeniran missed a golden chance (27′), and Sviatchenko’s set-piece goal (60′) gave Houston the 1-0 win they needed. CITY’s attack fell silent, ending their brief Champions Cup run.
March (1-1-3)
CITY’s draw streak began in earnest, securing just one win across six March fixtures while tying four times.
Mar 2 v. NYCFC – Win 2-0
In the first-ever meeting between the clubs, Pompeu’s slaloming run from the top of the box beat Freese (opening minute). Adeniran’s powerful near-post strike (72′) sealed CITY’s first MLS win of 2024.
Mar 9 @ Austin – Tie 2-2
Hedges headed Austin ahead off a corner (14′). Löwen’s PK equalized after Jackson was fouled (49′), but Cascante restored Austin’s lead from a throw-in scramble (51′). Deep in stoppage time, Totland’s cross found Pompeu for a stunning equalizer (90’+3)—CITY’s second consecutive dramatic late result in Austin.
Mar 16 @ LA Galaxy – Tie 3-3
A wild back-and-forth affair. Joveljic opened scoring (3′), Ostrák pick-pocketed Puig for the equalizer (27′). Paintsil (51′) and Nilsson’s bicycle kick (60′) traded second-half goals before McCarthy punched a corner into his own net (88′), seemingly giving CITY the win. But Yoshida headed the equalizer (90’+5) for the tie. NOTABLES: The third consecutive tie between these teams (1-1, 2-2, 3-3).
Mar 23 v. D.C. United – Tie 2-2
Yaro headed CITY ahead from a corner (19′), but D.C. equalized one minute later when Bürki blocked Stroud’s cross, leaving Ku-Dipietro an easy tap-in (20′). Benteke’s header (late first half) put D.C. ahead before Klauss converted a PK (66′) after Pompeu was fouled. CITY’s third straight draw, fourth in five games. NOTABLES: CITY started both 2023 and 2024 undefeated through five games; Yaro’s first MLS goal.
Mar 30 @ Real Salt Lake – Loss 1-3
Vassilev gave CITY an early lead (3′), but they collapsed in the final 20 minutes. Chicho Arango dismantled them with a hat trick (70′, 84′ PK, 90’+1), handing CITY their first loss of 2024. NOTABLES: Arango became the second player to score a hat trick against CITY (Mukhtar, NSH 2023).
April (1-0-2)
Apr 6 v. Dallas – Tie 0-0
An uneventful affair. Adeniran’s late chance went wide (90’+), extending CITY’s concerning run to five ties in seven games. NOTABLES: Bürki’s 10th clean sheet.
Apr 14 v. Austin – Win 1-0
CITY ended their winless streak with a workmanlike performance. Klauss broke the deadlock (57′), and CITY’s defense held Austin without a shot on goal.
Apr 20 @ Kansas – Tie 3-3
Pulido opened scoring (17′), but Durkin won a 50-50, found Alm, who delivered a perfect pass to Klauss for the equalizer (31′). In stoppage time, Klauss bodied Agada off the ball, then dumped it to Pompeu, who unleashed a golazo from outside the box (45’+3). Kansas equalized when Bürki inadvertently redirected Sallói’s chip (65′), then Thommy’s breakaway golazo put them ahead (77′). But Totland pounced on a bad back pass to tie it (90’+2). NOTABLES: Totland’s first CITY goal; CITY’s first point in Kansas.
May (1-3-1)
CITY faced four top MLS teams during a challenging stretch, going winless and struggling to find their attacking rhythm.
May 4 @ Houston – Tie 0-0
The teams’ third meeting of the season produced little beyond a Klauss bicycle kick over the bar (61′).
May 11 v. Chicago – Win 3-1
Alm caught Brady off his line for the fastest goal in CITY history (2′). Chicago equalized immediately after halftime (46′), but Klauss struck twice—stabbing home a Pompeu cross (56′) and heading in a Durkin delivery (67′). NOTABLES: At 84 seconds, Alm’s goal is the fastest in CITY history to date.
May 15 v. LAFC – Loss 0-2
With Löwen still injured, a Klauss PK (16′) was saved by Lloris. Markanich’s corner-kick goal (45’+4) was overturned by VAR for a handball. Bouanga broke through in acres of space (59′), then capitalized on Durkin’s turnover for a breakaway chip (90’+5). Markanich was sent off with his second yellow card (75′). NOTABLES: All three CITY-LAFC matches went to halftime 0-0; CITY yet to score against LAFC.
On May 16th it was revealed that despite initially being out with a hamstring injury in March, Eduard Löwen’s continued absence since early April was due to his wife being diagnosed with brain cancer. She had surgery April 1 and he returned to the squad in mid-May.
May 18 @ Cincinnati – Loss 1-3
Cincinnati, riding a five-game win streak, dominated. Pompeu fouled Acosta in the box; Acosta converted (25′). Kubo made it 2-0 (49′), Miazga’s own goal pulled one back (54′), but Santos finished it (80′). NOTABLES: Löwen’s first appearance in two months (74′).
May 25 v. Seattle – Loss 1-2
Seattle took the lead via a Hiebert own goal (66′), then Jordan Morris added a breakaway goal moments later (69′). CITY clawed one back (82′), and Klauss hit the post in stoppage time, but it was too little.
TRANSACTION: On May 28th, CITY made it known they had signed German MF Cedric Teuchert to improve their attack. However, he will not be available to the team until July 18th, when the Summer Transfer Window opens. He was a free transfer, as he was out of contract with his former club Hannover 96. He was also a former teammate of Eduard Löwen.
June (0-3-3)
CITY’s season unraveled in June, extending their winless streak from 4 to 9 games and ultimately costing Bradley Carnell his job.
June 1 @ Inter Miami – Tie 3-3
Chris Durkin’s Goal of the Matchday—a spinning strike from the top of the box (15′)—gave CITY an early lead against Messi & Friends, but no lead is safe in Miami. The teams traded goals throughout: Vassilev’s composed finish (41′) and a Suarez own goal (68′) gave CITY leads, but Messi (25′), Suarez (45’+2), and Alba (85′) equalized each time. Bürki’s heroics in the final 10 minutes salvaged a point. INJURIES: Alm, knee (21′).
TRANSACTION: In an effort to shore up the defense, CITY signed 20-year old D/MF Jake Girdwood-Reich from Sydney FC in Australia for $858,000. Like Teuchert before him, he would not be available to play until July 18th when the Summer Transfer Window opened.
June 8 v. Portland – Tie 0-0
A chippy affair with 8 yellow cards and little quality. Klauss had a goal disallowed for offside (12′), and Löwen’s free kick hit the post before Parker’s rebound was cleared off the line (74′). NOTABLES: Winless streak at 5; Durkin suspended for yellow card accumulation.
June 15 @ Dallas – Loss 0-2
Despite numerous chances, CITY couldn’t beat Maarten Paes. Ferreira’s PK (28′) and Tafari’s header (81′) sealed it. NOTABLES: Winless streak at 6. INJURIES: Pompeu, lower leg, season-ending (13′).
TRANSACTION: AZ Jackson, who had appeared in the previous game against Dallas, was sold to Columbus Crew on June 18th for $650,000 in total General Allocation Money (GAM) evenly split between 2024 and 2025. He had 0 goal contributions, while making 18 appearances across all competitions in 2024. In 2023 he had 7 contributions (3g, 4a) in 31 appearances across all competitions. He joined the team in November 2022 from Minnesota United for $150,000 GAM.
June 19 v. Colorado – Loss 0-3
The Djordje Mihailovic show. Unmarked throughout, he headed home a throw-in (7′), capitalized on a Bürki turnover (60′), and completed his hat trick from the spot (90’+4) after Löwen missed CITY’s own PK chance (25′). The defensive collapse epitomized CITY’s crisis. NOTABLES: Winless streak at 7; Mihailovic became the 3rd player to score a hat trick against CITY (Mukhtar, NSH 2023; Arango, RSL, 2024).
June 22 v. Atlanta – Tie 1-1
A must-win became infamous for the ref’s theatrical VAR overturn. Vassilev’s goal (50′) was briefly celebrated before Atlanta equalized via PK. Bürki saved the initial shot but Rios buried the rebound (69′). NOTABLES: Winless streak at 8.
June 29 @ Vancouver – Loss 3-4
CITY squandered their first 2-goal lead since May 11th. Blom (7′) and Löwen’s PK (12′) had them cruising, but Brian White’s ridiculous hat trick—including a back-heel fluke (54′)—turned the match. Thórisson’s stoppage-time goal (90’+5) made it respectable but couldn’t mask the collapse. NOTABLES: Winless streak reaches 9; Lundt’s first 2024 start; White became the 4th player to hat trick against CITY (Mukhtar, NSH 2023; Arango, RSL, 2024; Mihailovic, COL, 2024).
July (2-3-1)
After 9 straight winless games, CITY started off July by firing Bradley Carnell — only months after extending his contract through 2025. Technical Director, John Hackworth, took over the team on an interim basis for the rest of 2024.
TRANSACTIONS: On July 2nd, CITY signed midfielder Marcel Hartel — formerly of 2.Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli. He would not be able to begin play until the Summer Transfer window opens July 18th. On July 3rd, CITY promoted defender Michael Wentzel from MLS NextPro side St. Louis CITY2, signing him through the end of the season.
Jul 3 v. San Jose – Win 2-0
Hackworth’s first match started promisingly. Löwen’s shot confused San Jose’s keeper (28′), and Kijima finished Vassilev’s set piece (41′). CITY’s defense held for a clean sheet. NOTABLES: Hackworth’s first win as head coach.
Jul 7 @ Colorado – Loss 1-4
Cabral twisted CITY’s defense for the opener (6′). Klein equalized with a header off Reid’s cross (12′), but Colorado pulled away with goals in the 35th, 81st, and 90th minutes.
Jul 13 v. Vancouver – Loss 1-4
Brian White continued his dominance with two more goals (8′, 44′). Thórisson’s equalizer (27′) was brief. Vancouver cruised to a 4-1 win. NOTABLES: In four games against CITY, Brian White has 7 goals and has scored in each game.
Jul 17 @ Seattle – Loss 0-2
Parker’s own goal (27′) and Bell’s strike against his former team (49′) gave Seattle an easy win. NOTABLES: CITY has scored an own goal for Seattle in all 4 meetings.
TRANSACTION: On July 18th, CITY parted ways with Sam Adeniran, sending him to Philadelphia Union for $150,000 in GAM.
Jul 20 @ Kansas – Tie 1-1
Thórisson broke the deadlock just before halftime (42′), but Agada headed one home unmarked for the equalizer (73′).
TRANSACTION: On July 23rd, CITY added Simon Becher on loan from AC Horsens. Terms of the deal last through June 2025, with a purchase option through 2026 and more club options for ’27 and ’28.
Leagues Cup
The 2024 Leagues Cup featured all 47 MLS and Liga MX teams. CITY, seeded 5th overall based on 2023 results, were placed in a group with FC Dallas and FC Juárez, hosting both matches.
Jul 27 v. Dallas (Group Stage) – Win 2-1
Dallas led (18′), but Teuchert equalized (26′). Musa missed a PK over the bar (32′), while Hartel converted CITY’s spot kick (49′) for the winner. NOTABLES: First LC win; First CITY goals for Teuchert and Hartel.
August (1-2-1)
TRANSACTIONS: On August 2nd, CITY picked up Jannes Horn on loan from 1. FC Nürnberg. Terms of the deal run through June 2025, with options through 2026. On August 3rd, CITY traded Tim Parker and $600,000 in GAM to New England for CB Henry Kessler.
Aug 4 v. FC Juárez (Group Stage) – Tie 1-1 (Shootout loss 1-4)
With both teams already advancing to the knockout round, Becher put CITY ahead (58′) before Juárez equalized (62′). In the shootout, both Teuchert and Hartel were denied, giving Juárez an easy 4-1 shootout win. CITY finished second in the group with 4 points. NOTABLES: Becher’s first CITY goal.
Aug 9 v. Portland (Rd. of 32) – Win 3-1
Teuchert’s strike (51′) was quickly answered by Portland (54′). Löwen sprung Hartel in the box (83′), and Becher added insurance (87′) to advance CITY to the Round of 16.
Aug 13 @ Club América (Rd. of 16) – Loss 2-4
A rematch from Leagues Cup 2023 at LA Galaxy’s stadium, América’s Brian Rodríguez sliced through CITY’s defense to open the scoring (15′). Golden opportunity for CITY as Becher intercepted a back pass but Thórisson skied the sitter over an open goal (36′). Löwen found Vassilev for the equalizer (49′), then converted a PK (55′) to give CITY the lead. América tied it (79′) and went ahead (86′), adding a stoppage-time goal (90’+8) to end CITY’s Leagues Cup run.
TRANSACTION: On August 15th, CITY sent Anthony Markanich to Minnesota United for $50,000 in GAM.
Aug 24 @ Portland – Tie 4-4
MLS play resumed with a wild shootout. Becher headed CITY ahead off a corner (10′), then Löwen converted a PK after Becher was fouled (36′). Portland pulled one back (39′), but Teuchert restored the two-goal cushion from a corner (45’+2). Portland fought back with goals in the 57th and 64th minutes, while Thórisson answered (58′) making the game 4-3. Evander’s free kick (90’+9) salvaged Portland’s draw.
September (3-1-1)
Sep 1 v. LA Galaxy – Win 2-1
Teuchert’s early goal (9′) put CITY ahead. Pec equalized (46′), but Hartel’s deft touch (68′) secured the three points.
TRANSACTION: On September 3rd, CITY loaned out Njabulo Blom to his old team, Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa. The deal lasts until June 2025.
Sep 7 @ New England – Tie 2-2
In the first meeting between the clubs—notable for Parker and Kessler being traded for each other a month prior—Kessler headed CITY ahead off a corner (23′). He then lost his mark, allowing the equalizer (28′). Gil’s weak shot from the top of the box gave New England the lead (40′), but Becher’s second-half strike (73′) salvaged a point in a downpour.
Sep 14 v. Minnesota – Loss 1-3
Teuchert’s early magic continued (4′), but Minnesota tied it (23′) and never looked back. An own goal (52′) and PK (62′) sealed a 3-1 Minnesota win.
Sep 21 @ San Jose – Win 2-1
Teuchert struck early again (4′), and Hartel’s PK (13′) gave CITY a 2-0 lead. San Jose pulled one back before halftime, but CITY held on for a crucial road win. NOTABLES: Ended a 17-game road winless streak.
Sep 28 v. Kansas – Win 3-1
For the third straight game, Teuchert opened scoring (33′). He then assisted Alm’s goal (54′). Kansas clawed one back (63′), but Löwen’s strike from the top of the box (75′) sealed the rivalry win.
October (1-2-0)
Oct 2 @ LAFC – Loss 0-1
Ben Lundt stood tall through the first half, but Bouanga’s shot from the top of the box one minute into stoppage time (45’+1) was all LAFC needed. NOTABLES: The loss eliminated CITY from playoff contention.
Oct 5 v. Houston – Win 3-0
CITY’s final home game saw Becher’s scoring form continue with goals in the 14th and 46th minutes. Nerwinski added a stoppage-time goal (90’+2) for the 3-0 final.
Oct 19 @ Minnesota – Loss 1-4
After a two-week break, Minnesota took the lead (21′) and controlled the match. Jeong Sang-bin extended it (72′), Hartel pulled one back (75′), but Kessler’s own goal off a corner (78′) and another Jeong goal (83′) closed out CITY’s 2024 season with a 4-1 defeat.