(Editorial) – Saint Louis FC has played two matches in six days and will play another two matches this week, after defeating the Des Moines Menace in the second round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They did so in 120 minutes.
This past Sunday’s Kings Cup match with Louisville City FC had a one hour delay due to rain and lightning in the area. Head Coach Dale Schilly commented after the game that it hurt their momentum and was hard on the team after only three days rest. “We have a couple guys with some muscle issues” and “the delay hurt us and helped [Louisville].”
With a victory on Wednesday, they advance to the third round of the Open Cup to play NASL side, Minnesota United FC. The Loons are the most recent team to announce MLS expansion, and boast a deep roster with talented players such as USMNT international Miguel Ibarra and long time MLS/NASL veteran Aaron Pitchkolan.
With a combined four games in ten days, this will be a tough test of Saint Louis FC’s depth. This challenge is further exacerbated by previous injuries to Brandon Barklage and Jamiel Hardware, who was just hitting his stride offensively.
The good news for Saint Louis is that they’ve already had an exercise in lineup changes and having players slotted in new or relatively unfamiliar positions. Almost the entire roster has already seen action and 20 players have appeared in at least four of the club’s nine matches so far.
Captain James Musa played holding midfielder even though he is a center back in a previous Open Cup match. Both Mark Pais and Alec Kann are ready and capable goal keepers. Saint Louis FC’s depth at striker is just as good. Bryan Gaul, Mike Ambersley, and Jermie Lynch have been very active. The three-headed-monster has averaged a goal every 50 minutes of play in the past three games, and each of them scored in the match against Louisville City. Lynch has played at both forward at central attacking midfield. The three have yet to start together in one match, so it’s likely one will be a bench option for Wednesday should Schilly need fresh legs down a goal.
Schilly and General Manager Jeremy Alumbaugh have been very meticulous in putting this roster together. The front office did a very good job tapping into locally grown talent as well as a few wily veterans. Sam Fink has been excellent in his first season professionally along the back line. Parker Maher played collegiately at Missouri State and is one of the faster players in USL. Musa was a steal as a well-traveled professional at only the age of 23. All three Jamaicans have been excellent.
The biggest holes in the roster right now are Barklage’s absence and the general lack of professional experience across the roster. Barklage was injured in the team’s second home game and could be out long term. He was the primary cog that helped get and maintain possession in the 4-4-2 diamond. Jacob Bushue has done well in his place at the base of the diamond since the injury.
The average age is 24 years old and several players are in their first year of professional soccer. Minnesota United is second in the table in NASL and has good depth. Even if Ibarra is not in the 18, a quality side will be put on the field. “They’re a deep team, whatever team they put out against us is going to be a quality team. We’re going to have to bring our best,” said Ambersley. Sunday’s organized chaos that was the Kings Cup is only going to escalate in the third installment of the rivalry on Saturday.
This week could be a defining stretch for the club as they look to make a statement for themselves and USL against a quality NASL team. A win will match them up with an MLS side in the fourth round of the Open Cup. A win on Saturday would put them ahead with one final regular match in the 2015 Kings Cup.
This week will challenge Saint Louis FC’s depth. In the words of St. Louis native, Maya Angelou, “you may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” The team could not control the weather on Sunday. They could not control the fatigue from a short rest. But they can control how they respond this week to a disappointing 3-3 draw.
One of Minnesota United’s supporters groups is called the Dark Clouds. Angelou also once said “try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” May the Loons be blinded by the light come Wednesday.
