Los Angeles Fc vs St. Louis City Sc Picks and Predictions October 2nd 2024

LAFC, jockeying for playoff seeding, face resurgent St. Louis City

Los Angeles FC (LAFC) is set to face a rejuvenated St. Louis City in a pivotal Major League Soccer (MLS) matchup on Wednesday. While LAFC has already clinched a playoff berth, their focus remains on climbing the Western Conference standings and solidifying their playoff seeding. Meanwhile, St. Louis City, though eliminated from playoff contention, aims to maintain their winning momentum and play spoiler in the final stretch of the season.

LAFC’s Playoff Push: Momentum and Key Players

LAFC comes into this fixture riding a wave of confidence after their 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati on Saturday, a win that not only snapped a frustrating five-match winless streak in league play but also secured their sixth playoff berth in seven years.

Despite their postseason ticket being punched, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo remains focused on the bigger picture. “It is great to have clinched, but it doesn’t change our mentality in the next games and weeks,” Cherundolo said. “We want to get as many points as we possibly can and try to improve. There is still plenty of learning and improving to do.”

With four matches left in the regular season, LAFC sits at 52 points, tied with Real Salt Lake, and trails the first-place Los Angeles Galaxy by six points. Every match is critical as LAFC looks to close the gap and secure a more favorable seeding.

Denis Bouanga: The Golden Boot Chase

Leading LAFC’s attack is Denis Bouanga, who has been in stellar form throughout the season. Bouanga scored the winning goal against FC Cincinnati, bringing his tally to 18 goals—just three behind MLS Golden Boot leader Christian Benteke of D.C. United. Bouanga’s consistency has been a key factor in LAFC’s attacking success this season.

David Martinez: Rising Star

Another standout performer is David Martinez, who opened the scoring against Cincinnati. With two goals in his last three MLS matches and four across all competitions, Martinez is becoming a reliable contributor for LAFC, adding depth to their offense at a crucial time.

St. Louis City: Fighting for Pride

Though St. Louis City (7-11-13, 34 points) has been eliminated from playoff contention, they are far from a team ready to roll over. Under interim head coach John Hackworth, St. Louis has strung together two consecutive victories and is looking to make it three straight when they face LAFC. The team is motivated to finish the season strong, with Hackworth stating, “It’s a huge game, and it’s nice that we have put together two really good results and performances. We still have things we need to work on in order to be successful against a team like LAFC. At the same time, I think the belief is there.”

Cedric Teuchert: A Key Contributor

German forward Cedric Teuchert has been in impressive form for St. Louis City. He registered a goal and two assists in the team’s 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City last weekend, bringing his total to five goals and three assists this season. Teuchert has been involved in eight goal contributions in just seven matches, making him a critical player for the team’s resurgence.

Joao Klauss: A Consistent Force

Another important figure for St. Louis is Brazilian forward Joao Klauss. While he hasn’t matched Teuchert’s recent hot streak, Klauss remains a key contributor with five goals and three assists across 24 matches this season.

Head-to-Head: LAFC vs. St. Louis City

LAFC and St. Louis City have faced each other three times, with LAFC dominating the matchups (0-2-1 for St. Louis). Their most recent meeting took place on May 15, when LAFC secured a 2-0 victory on the road. St. Louis City has yet to record a win against LAFC, but with their recent form, they will be determined to reverse that trend on Wednesday.

Western Conference Standings: The Stakes for LAFC

LAFC’s focus is clear: they want to secure the best possible playoff seeding. With 52 points, they are tied with Real Salt Lake and six points behind rivals LA Galaxy, who currently occupy the top spot in the Western Conference. With just four matches left, including the clash against St. Louis City, every point is crucial in determining their playoff pathway.

Securing a higher seed could prove essential for LAFC’s postseason ambitions, as it may provide them with home-field advantage in the MLS Cup playoffs. Cherundolo and his team are aware of the importance of every game, and their upcoming matches will determine if they can push for a top spot in the conference.

St. Louis City’s Motivation: Spoiler Role

For St. Louis City, the playoffs may be out of reach, but the chance to play spoiler against a team like LAFC adds extra motivation. Their recent victories against top opposition prove they can compete, and with players like Teuchert and Klauss in form, they could cause problems for LAFC’s defense.

Though they have struggled in past meetings, St. Louis City’s recent resurgence makes this an intriguing contest. The team is playing with belief and will be eager to test themselves against one of the Western Conference’s top contenders.

Predicted Outcome: LAFC’s Quality vs. St. Louis’ Resilience

While LAFC will be favored to win this matchup due to their superior squad depth, form, and motivation to secure a top playoff seed, St. Louis City has proven they can surprise teams. LAFC’s attacking prowess, led by Denis Bouanga and David Martinez, will be hard for St. Louis to contain, but Hackworth’s side has shown defensive improvement and has the firepower to trouble LAFC’s backline.

Conclusion: A High-Stakes Encounter

Wednesday’s matchup between LAFC and St. Louis City promises to be a hard-fought contest, with both teams bringing different motivations to the table. LAFC is looking to solidify their playoff seeding and push for the top spot in the Western Conference, while St. Louis City is aiming to finish their season strong and spoil LAFC’s plans.

For LAFC, the focus will be on continuing their momentum, building confidence for the playoffs, and tightening up defensively. Meanwhile, St. Louis City will look to build on their recent performances and continue their upward trajectory, even if the playoffs are out of reach.

Expert Soccer Picks & Handicappers