MLS preseason 2023: St. Louis tie Philadelphia in first-ever preseason match

Stl Philly preseason 2

St. Louis CITY SC played their inaugural preseason match against the Philadelphia Union, while Nashville SC and the Colorado Rapids took on opponents from outside MLS. Elsewhere, NYCFC went head-to-head with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Here's how each team fared on a busy preseason Tuesday.

Philadelphia Union 2, St. Louis City SC 2

St. Louis CITY SC ended their first-ever preseason match in a 2-2 draw against reigning Eastern Conference champions Philadelphia Union.

Philadelphia Union II center back Gino Portella was credited with the game-tying goal, which came off an assist from midfielder Jesús Bueno. Standout left back Kai Wagner scored Philly's first goal, notching a 9th-minute opener.

For the MLS newcomers, forwards João Klauss and Niko Gioacchini both got on the scoresheet.

Goals

  • 9' - PHI - Kai Wagner
  • 41' - STL - João Klauss
  • 75' - PHI - Gino Portella
  • 86' - STL - Niko Gioacchini

Lineups

  • PHI starting XI: Andre Blake - Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo - José Martinez, Leon Flach, Alejandro Bedoya, Dániel Gazdag - Mikael Uhre, Julián Carranza
  • STL starting XI: Roman Bürki - Owen O'Malley, Tim Parker, Selmir Pidro, Eduard Löwen, Miguel Perez, Rasmus Alm, Indiana Vassilev, Isak Jensen, João Klauss
  • STL second XI: Ben Lundt - Jake Nerwinski, Lucas Bartlett, Kyle Hiebert, John Nelson, Akil Watts, Tomáš Ostrák, Aziel Jackson, Jared Stroud, Samuel Adeniran, Niko Gioacchini

Colorado Rapids 5, Mineros de Zacatecas 3

The Colorado Rapids got five goals from four different players in a 5-3 exhibition victory over Mexican second-division side Mineros de Zacatecas in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico.

A brace from returning homegrown attacker Cole Bassett shot Colorado out to a 2-0 lead, and Diego Rubio, Sam Nicholson and Kévin Cabral each netted one apiece to round out the scoring.

Goals

  • 4' - COL - Cole Bassett
  • 10' - COL - Cole Bassett
  • 19' - MIN - Luis Fernando Hernandez
  • 30' - COL - Diego Rubio
  • 43' - COL - Sam Nicholson
  • 45' - COL - Kévin Cabral
  • 55' - MIN - Not available
  • 65' - MIN - Not available

Lineups

  • COL starting XI: William Yarbrough - Anthony Markanich, Lalas Abubakar, Michael Edwards, Sebastian Anderson, Cole Bassett, Jack Price, Michael Barrios, Braian Galván, Darren Yapi, Kévin Cabral

Nashville SC 2, USMNT U-20s 1

C.J. Sapong's game-winner sent Nashville SC to a 2-1 victory against the United States Under-20 youth national team in Tampa, Fla.

Offseason arrival Fafà Picault notched a first-half goal for Nashville, but the U-20s rallied to level the contest in the second half. Sapong's finish from a Nashville set piece gave NSC the final lead.

Goals

  • 1H - NSH - Fafà Picault
  • 2H - US U20s
  • 2H - NSH - C.J. Sapong

Lineups

  • NSH starting XI: Joe Willis - Dan Lovitz, Josh Bauer, Jack Maher, Alex Muyl, Anibal Godoy, Dax McCarty, Fafà Picault, Academy Player, Teal Bunbury, Jacob Shaffelburg
  • NSH second XI: Ben Martino - Taylor Washington, Josh Bauer, Sean Suber, Trialist, Brian Anunga, Sean Davis, Trialist, Luke Haakenson, Ethan Zubak, C.J. Sapong

New York City FC 2, San Jose Earthquakes 2

New York City FC used second-half goals from Jonathan Jimenez and Klevis Haxhari to erase a 2-0 deficit and salvage a 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Goals

  • 30' - SJ
  • 53' - SJ
  • 65' - NYC - Jonathan Jimenez
  • 72' - NYC - Klevis Haxhari

Lineups

  • NYC starting XI: Luis Barraza - Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins, Maxime Chanot, Kevin O'Toole - Alfredo Morales, Maximo Carrizo, Keaton Parks - Talles Magno, Andres Jasson, Matías Pellegrini
  • SJ starting XI: Not available