Struggling St. Louis City Eyes Turnaround Against Minnesota United in Crucial Two-Match Clash

As Major League Soccer (MLS) action intensifies, St. Louis City is preparing for a pivotal showdown against Minnesota United, hoping to snap a nine-game winless run and reignite their 2025 campaign. The two sides will meet twice in quick succession, starting with a league match in St. Paul and followed by a high-stakes U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 clash.

Minnesota United Faces Fixture Congestion but Remains Competitive

Currently holding a 6-3-4 record (22 points), Minnesota United has been navigating a demanding schedule — nine matches in 30 days, a real test of squad depth and stamina.

Following a resounding 4-1 victory over Inter Miami, their momentum hit a bump with a 2-0 defeat to Houston Dynamo. The loss came amid significant rotation, with head coach Eric Ramsay making eight changes to manage player fatigue. Newcomers Hoyeon Jung and Kieran Chandler were handed their first MLS starts, highlighting Minnesota’s commitment to youth development.

“Given the context as a whole, perhaps the result was expected,” Ramsay reflected after the loss, emphasizing the challenges of a compact fixture list.

Despite the setback, Minnesota remains a formidable opponent, particularly at home. Check our Soccer Picks from Soccer Expert Handicappers

St. Louis City’s Winless Streak Raises Alarms

Meanwhile, St. Louis City (2-6-5, 11 points) is grappling with defensive lapses and squandered leads. Their current form — 0 wins in 9 games (0-6-3) — raises serious concerns about their consistency and mental resilience.

In their most recent match, St. Louis threw away a 2-0 advantage to settle for a 2-2 draw against Sporting Kansas City. This marked yet another example of their inability to close games out, a trend that has haunted them throughout the season.

“You just have to be able to kill games… 3-0, 4-0, it’s over,” said midfielder Celio Pompeu, expressing frustration with the team’s failure to maintain leads.

Pompeu had opened the scoring with a well-placed strike from outside the box, and Cedric Teuchert added his team-leading third goal before halftime. However, lapses in concentration allowed their rivals to level the match within six minutes late in the second half.

What’s at Stake in This Two-Match Series?

This back-to-back meeting between the two clubs holds significant weight:

MLS League Points – St. Louis desperately needs to climb out of the bottom-tier standings.
Open Cup Progression – A midweek knockout match could change the trajectory for either club.

For Minnesota, maintaining pace in the Western Conference and managing squad fatigue are top priorities. For St. Louis City, these games are about redemption, momentum, and finding confidence in a faltering campaign.

Match Predictions and Outlook

Given Minnesota’s depth and tactical discipline under Ramsay, they appear better equipped to handle the demands of two games in quick succession. However, St. Louis has shown flashes of brilliance and could pull off a surprise — if they can finally learn to protect a lead.

Prediction:

MLS Match: Minnesota United 2 – 1 St. Louis City
U.S. Open Cup: Minnesota United 1 – 1 St. Louis City (Minnesota wins on penalties)

Conclusion

As Minnesota United and St. Louis City prepare to square off in an intense two-match series, both teams carry distinct motivations. Minnesota seeks stability and depth rotation, while St. Louis is searching for redemption and a long-overdue win. The outcomes could shape both their seasons — and offer fans a thrilling glimpse into the heart of MLS competition.

Minnesota United vs St Louis City Sc Picks and Predictions May 17th 2025