Sporting KC II v St. Louis FC: Preview, Starting XI, and Predictions

Sporting Kansas City II vs St. Louis FC

When: Saturday, September 19th, 7:00 PM CT

Where: West Community Stadium, Fenton, Missouri

How to Watch: ESPN+ ($4.99/month or 49.99 annually)

Saint Louis FC will play host to Sporting Kansas City II for the last time ever on Saturday evening.

From three previous meetings this season, SKC II has managed to get just one point from one draw before losing two straight to STL FC. From the five years of this rivalry, Sporting II has managed to accumulate a total of just three points from eight matches in St. Louis with three draws and five losses.

The visitors are coming from a highly controversial 2-1 loss against the Indy Eleven from more than a week ago. Danny Barbir’s stoppage time equalizer was denied by the referee, which caught the attention of a former teammate of his with the U.S. U-15 and U-17 National Teams, Christian Pulisic.

SKC II enters Saturday’s contest with two players unavailable, although they did add goalkeeper coach Mitch Hildebrandt to the playing roster.

Entering Saturday’s match nine points behind the playoff line, SKC II will be looking to delay their inevitable postseason elimination for the second straight season to as late as possible. With a record of 4-7-1, Paulo Nagamura’s side has impressed this season but currently sit in last place of Group E.

Sporting II’s greatest threat going forward is Wilson Harris, who has impressed again this season with seven goals in 12 matches. Another SKC Academy product who has played extremely well and has been the strongest midfielder is Jake Davis, who has started in 10 of his 11 appearances this season.

St. Louis FC

Saint Louis FC announced that they will not be continuing operations next season with St. Louis City SC on the horizon with plans to start MLS play in 2023.

STL FC is led by St. Louis Sports Hall of Famer Steve Trittschuh. In what will be his only season as the manager of STL FC, he has brought STL FC back to playoff contention with a record of 5-4-3, which places his side in third place of Group E, four points shy of the final playoff position.

Trittschuh’s side enters Saturday’s match with just one loss from their last five matches. That loss came last weekend against Lou City by a score of 3-0.

Former Swope Park Ranger forward Tyler Blackwood still leads the team with four goals, but he is closely followed by Russell Cicerone and Kyle Greig, who each have three goals. The STL defense has conceded 16 goals in 12 games and is led by Sam Fink and former Real Salt Lake defender Phanuel Kavita.

Predicted Starting XI

For the final visit to St. Louis, I predict two changes from the loss in Indianapolis last time out. I would be very surprised if Jake Davis doesn’t return to start in the midfield to replace Duval Wapiwo and I also believe Enoch Mushagalusa will get the start on the right wing.

Final Prediction

Despite the club’s struggles at West Community Stadium, they are still plenty capable of getting a win against STL FC. With just two wins in 13 attempts against STL, it is not going to be easy.

For my final prediction, I believe that St. Louis FC will win their third straight match against SKC II by a score of 3-1. Since St. Louis has more to play for, I believe that will give them the edge in the final matchup between these two sides.