St. Louis City Sc Stl vs Minnesota United Fc Min Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

St. Louis City Faces a Must-Win Clash Against Minnesota United in Playoff Hunt

With the MLS regular season winding down, St. Louis City SC is heading into one of their most critical games of the year. They’ll take on Minnesota United this Saturday, and with only six games left, St. Louis is in a make-or-break situation. They’re trailing the last playoff spot by eight points, and this match could be the turning point that decides their postseason fate.

St. Louis City’s Desperate Situation

Playoff Positioning: Right now, St. Louis City (5-10-13, 28 points) is sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference. They’re eight points behind Minnesota United, who currently hold the 9th and final playoff spot. With up to 18 points still on the table, every game matters—especially this one. A win is absolutely essential for St. Louis to close that gap and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Recent Form: St. Louis has been hanging tough, going unbeaten in their last four matches (1-0-3). But too many draws have slowed their progress. In their most recent outing, a 2-2 draw with New England Revolution, they missed out on the full three points they needed to keep their playoff push on track. Interim head coach John Hackworth knows that playing it safe just isn’t an option anymore.

“We know that we have to go for the win. That’s going to open us up. We’re going to have to take some risks late in the game because there’s no point for us to play safe for a draw,” Hackworth said.

Aggressive Approach: Hackworth is clear about one thing—St. Louis has to go all in. They can’t afford to sit back and settle for a point. Expect to see an aggressive, risk-taking approach, especially late in the game. It’s a gamble, but with the season on the line, it’s a risk worth taking.

Minnesota United’s Playoff Battle

Playoff Race: Minnesota United (10-11-6, 36 points) is clinging to the 9th spot in the Western Conference, but the playoff race is tight. They’re only two points ahead of FC Dallas and Austin FC, so they can’t afford to slip up. A win on Saturday would strengthen their grip on that final playoff spot, but any stumble could cost them big time.

Road Struggles and Recent Boost: Minnesota snapped a seven-game winless streak on the road with a 2-1 win over San Jose Earthquakes last week. Bongokuhle Hlongwane was the hero, scoring both goals and giving his team a much-needed lift. However, their form away from home has been shaky, and they’ll need to stay sharp as they head into St. Louis for this crucial matchup.

Previous Meetings: St. Louis and Minnesota have squared off before, and this season they’ll meet twice. The last time these two teams met in St. Louis, Minnesota took a 1-0 win, but St. Louis got revenge with a 2-1 victory in Saint Paul later that year. With another meeting scheduled for Decision Day on October 19, this game could set the tone for the rest of the season.

Coaches’ Insights

John Hackworth (St. Louis City): Hackworth is optimistic, believing his team still controls their own destiny. But he knows they have to go for broke if they want to keep their season alive.
“I personally believe that we’re not out of time yet. We still have control,” Hackworth said, signaling that St. Louis will be going all-out for the win.

Eric Ramsay (Minnesota United): Ramsay knows what’s at stake for both teams and isn’t taking anything for granted. “They are a team that I’m sure are looking at this game being crucial for the remainder of their season and their fortunes,” he said. Minnesota can expect a tough fight from a desperate St. Louis team.

Key Players to Watch

St. Louis City: With Hackworth pushing his team to take risks and go for the win, the pressure is on the entire squad. They’ll need to stay composed under pressure and make sure they’re clinical with any chances they create. This is a high-stakes game, and everyone will need to step up.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United): Hlongwane is fresh off a brace in Minnesota’s win over San Jose, and he’ll be looking to exploit any gaps in St. Louis’ defense. His ability to break down St. Louis’ backline will be key as Minnesota tries to keep their playoff spot secure.

Match Dynamics and Playoff Implications

St. Louis Has to Win: There’s no sugarcoating it—this is a must-win for St. Louis City. A loss or even a draw could all but end their playoff dreams. Hackworth has been clear that his team is going to take risks, and that aggressive approach could either lead to a big win or leave them vulnerable to counterattacks. Either way, they know it’s all or nothing.

Minnesota’s Fragile Playoff Hold: Minnesota may be in a better position than St. Louis, but they’re far from safe. With FC Dallas and Austin FC just two points behind, Minnesota can’t afford any slip-ups. They’ve struggled on the road, and while their win over San Jose gave them a boost, they’ll need to be at their best to fend off a desperate St. Louis team.

Conclusion: High Stakes for Both Teams

This showdown between St. Louis City and Minnesota United is shaping up to be a high-stakes, do-or-die clash. St. Louis has to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, while Minnesota needs to maintain their spot in the playoff zone. St. Louis will be going all-in with an aggressive, risk-heavy approach, while Minnesota will look to stabilize their road form and capitalize on St. Louis’ desperation.

It’s all on the line for both teams, and this match could very well decide their playoff fate. Expect a hard-fought battle with no shortage of drama as both sides leave it all on the field.