Akil Watts scores first MLS goal as CITY SC falls to Portland

St. Louis CITY SC faced a tough defeat at the hands of the Portland Timbers, losing 2-1 at Providence Park. Despite outshooting the Timbers nine to five in the first half, CITY SC's hard work was rewarded when Akil Watts scored his first career MLS goal in the 50th minute. However, Portland equalized shortly after, and David Ayala sealed the victory in second-half stoppage time.

Brendan McSorley made his first MLS appearance for CITY SC, marking the first time they have failed to pick up at least one point at Providence Park since 2023. Caretaker manager David Critchley praised the team's back four for their defensive efforts, noting that they had been creating more chances and playing more strategically under his tutelage.

The team's recent performances under Critchley have been encouraging, with an increase in possession and goal scoring opportunities. As CITY SC prepares to face the LA Galaxy next on June 14, the team is optimistic about their future, with Critchley emphasizing the importance of staying positive and excited about their progress.

The match was marked by several yellow cards, including one for Antony of the Timbers. The loss underscores the challenges faced by CITY SC under Critchley, but the team remains committed to their strategy and is poised for future success. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Akiel what scores first MLS goal as City SC falls
to Portland. Saint Louis City SC fell two to one
in a tightly contested match against the Portland Timbers Sunday
night at Providence Park. City SC dominated the first half,
out shooting the Timbers nine shots to five and posting
an XG of one point three seven. The hard work

(00:22):
paid off for Saint Louis in the second half as
Akiel Once broke the deadlock in the fiftieth minute with
his first career MLS goal. Portland equalized five minutes later
and tallied the game winner and second half stoppage time
courtesy of a goal from David Ayala. Brendan McSorley made
his first MLS appearance for the twenty twenty five season
after signing a short term loan from Saint Louis City

(00:44):
two earlier in the day. The loss also marks the
first time Saint Louis did not pick up at least
one point at Providence Park against the Timbers since the
team debuted in twenty twenty three, said city SC care
tome taker manager David Critchley about the back for his performance.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
Again, if we if we hold fallen through to a
one point six actually at home, when I'm just working
strictly at data, teaching performance from a backlane, especially when
we outpossessed them in very large moments at the game
and create more chances. So so rose a back four.
I'm looking at two things. I'm looking at a team
I can keep the ball out of the back of
the net, but also a team that can create chances.

Speaker 3 (01:24):
And it usually starts with Roman on the back. Poor
and appointment of the ex jobs out today.

Speaker 1 (01:28):
Critchley, currently serving as caretaker manager following the firing of
manager Oloff Melburg on May twenty seventh after fifteen games,
was the head coach of City SC's entire academy system
before being promoted to head coach of City two in
November twenty twenty four. Before the two matches to date
under his belt, he had never managed the team in

(01:49):
MLS outside of academies and MLS. Next, he finds more
positives than negatives in Sunday's performance.

Speaker 2 (01:58):
Many many more positives the negative okay, the resulting to
go out way sid Okay, we obviously had a moment
where we can see can see late in the game,
but I told the guys. My message was very big
clear to them. Not my emotions in this game was
not disappointments, was not a guy, was not frustration. My
my emotions is proud and excited for the very very

(02:19):
near future for this team. This team is going to
continue to grow. The team is going to continue to
get that I thought.

Speaker 1 (02:24):
Win a football game City sc midfielder. What's concurred with
Critchley's remarks.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
Michael keating the ball more?

Speaker 1 (02:32):
You know, what's it?

Speaker 3 (02:35):
Or we were just dumping in mind hoping for the best.
I feel like we're actually playing soccer now. It's enjoyable
to play. So like this team is going to go
and as we go, we got to get better in
a games.

Speaker 1 (02:45):
What's was also asked about scoring his first goal of
his MLS career.

Speaker 3 (02:51):
Yeah, like you said, it was a matter of time
and I just was fallowing the play.

Speaker 1 (02:54):
What's it?

Speaker 2 (02:55):
You know?

Speaker 3 (02:55):
Sell you okay to the chance for us obvious had
the first shot that I've got, I got a second
up to.

Speaker 1 (03:00):
The players are starting to notice that the attack is
growing under the interim tutelage of Critchley.

Speaker 4 (03:06):
Yeah, because so if you see last week we've quate
give the chances out of playing out from the back.

Speaker 1 (03:13):
Sid midfielder Marcel Hartel.

Speaker 4 (03:15):
Todays where we were given more chances to this game
against Portland than we created last week, so we are
we are happy with the system that we play. Now
we have to continue

Speaker 1 (03:27):
Its CSC will welcome the La Galaxy to Energizer Park
on Saturday, June fourteenth at three point thirty pm Central