Matt Baker
@mattbakerstl.bsky.social
2.3K followers 640 following 2.8K posts
Girl dad | #AllForCITY Founder/Supporter | Contributor: 550 KTRS | Louligan | Soccer & STL | Mizzou | Chiefs Host of @FlyoverFooty.bsky.social: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flyover-footy-a-st-louis-city-sc-and-soccer-in-stl-podcast/id1529481082
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mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Pretty much a good result from Colorado and a bad result from either RSL or Dallas will get them in.

But a COL loss straight up will keep them out so I'm personally going into this weekend wanting us to win + LAFC to steamroll them.
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
The larger story in the 2025 @stlcitysc.com finale will be whether RSL makes the playoffs. Here are the scenarios for them & how we can help play spoiler.

But in STL? This #AllForCITY game could be David Critchley's clincher in getting the full time head coaching position too.
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
It's disappointing to see this level of effort shown to fans and there are much better ways that MLS can deploy Gen AI to provide added value to fans than this.
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
There are plenty of cheap, effective and overall better ways to provide this type of content than using Gen AI to provide the barest of bones content, essentially translating a box score with no added value.
jeffrueter.bsky.social
As someone whose time freelancing for MLSsoccer was a vital step in my career progression, and someone who generally gleans insight from the observations of others:

This sucks so hard.
MLS is using generative AI to write match recaps. Writers used to get paid freelance rates to do that. Hssssss.
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Honoring those whose lands we now have the privilege of living on. Happy Indigenous Peoples Day. 🫶
stlcitysc.com
Today we honor and celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples past, present, and future. #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Happy Pick-Your-Opponent Day to all who celebrate, as today we find out who @stlcity2.bsky.social selects to face in the 1st round of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs and who our home opponent will be on 10/19. #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
I’m sure there are rules around players on SEI, so worth saying that Alm was warming up w/the team before moving to solo stuff to the side.
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Player Updates from @stlcitysc.com training on Wednesday, 1st training of the week:

Only missing Sangbin/Joyner (nat’l team duty) & Teuchert (shut down).

Everyone else is here incl Löwen, the guys who’d been w/CITY2 & a pleasant surprise: Rasmus Alm (SEI) is training. #AllFrCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
St. Louis - the only one that capitalizes it all lol.
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Marcel Hartel's 2g performance is good to earn him a Team of the Matchday nod.

This gives him 9g/4a in MLS play and 4g/1a in his last 4 matches. Too late but the playoffs but Hartel's been outspoken about fighting to keep David Critchley. He's doing his part there. #AllForCITY
stlcitysc.com
𝓜𝓪𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓸 🎻

Hartel's performance in Austin earns him a spot on the MLS Team of the Matchday 🙌
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
CITY now have 3 players with national teams on this international break.

Sangbin Jeong is with South Korea's national team.
Mykhi Joyner is with the USYNT U20s.
Tyson Pearce has just been announced as joining the USYNT U19s.

All players will return for their next games on Oct 18 & 19 #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
and THAT'S why the smaller but recent sample size is important to take into context.

And from a PPG metric, there is obvious growth and evolution to his results. #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Olof had publicly called out the player's quality, changed the mindset to "don't lose" and had them essentially afraid to be aggressive and take chances. By measuring ALL of his tenure, you take into account the work it took to re-wire this team & change formation back to a 4231... #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
As the sample sizes shrink towards the present, he's gotten progressively better but it's still a small sample size so obviously room for debate on validity.

However I will say, Critchley took over a broken team. #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
- In last 9 games: 13 points (1.44 PPG).
- In last 5 games: 10 points (2 PPG).
- This year, a 1.33 PPG would put you in 7th place & securely in the playoffs. #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
A follow up to last week's look at David Critchley's tenure as interim @stlcitysc.com head coach after his latest win w/an important note at the end:

- Through his 18 games as head coach, David Critchley has taken 20 points (1.11 PPG).
- In last 12 games: 16 points (1.33 PPG). #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Phill and Santi had the call this week to recap our 3-1 win. A good win and 3 in a row on the road for the first time since our 5 game winning streak to start 2023. Add a brace by Marcel Hartel and that's more than enough reason to tune in! #AllForCITY
flyoverfooty.bsky.social
A new FALLOUT with Santiago & @phillgrooms.bsky.social. Breaking down the 3-1 victory over Austin FC and evaluating Critchley's performance this season as it pertains to the job next year. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Totland is indeed back, 1st start since July 19.

Other noteworthy areas: No Edu Löwen (personal reasons), Wallem over Padelford at LB (both on loan w/us), Morales w/Durkin at CM and Célio at LM. Everything else still cemented in. #AllForCITY
stlcitysc.com
Our XI in ATX 🗞️
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Matchday! Likely to see the final appearance of the Confluence Kit tonight.

Hasn’t been the most successful kit in our short history, but it’s undoubtedly the most unique as no two kits have the same lined pattern. #AllForCITY
stlcitysc.com
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐓𝐗 🤠

📺 https://apple.co/3VcHlTF
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Player Availability Reports for @stlcitysc.com & Austin FC.

Good news on the #AllForCITY front. Both Kessler & Fall traveled and will be available with no designations.

No updates on Edu Löwen given the sensitive nature of his status, but absolutely all of our thoughts are with the Löwen family.
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
There will be 5 @stlcitysc.com players eligible for Free Agency this offseason w/the club holding options on 4 of them.

Free Agency in MLS requires you to be 24 yrs old w/5 MLS service yrs accrued. #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Plenty of Austin talk and a look at who’s available for @stlcitysc.com to get ready for the match, but I think the @stlcity2.bsky.social talk and Critch/player convos are the best parts of this one. #AllForCITY
flyoverfooty.bsky.social
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨

@stlcitysc.com heads back to where it all began to end their away schedule in 2025. Our full preview, why the focus is heavily on Critchley, who should play & why + CITY2 is on 🔥. #AllForCITY
🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...
Previewing Austin FC: The Return of Tomas Totland?
Podcast Episode · Flyover Footy: A St. Louis CITY SC and Soccer in STL Podcast · 10/03/2025 · 48m
podcasts.apple.com
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Latest @flyoverfooty.bsky.social is in the books! Thanks to all who joined the livestream w/@phillgrooms & I. Good look at CITY2 + this weekend's #AllForCITY match that may help make or break Critchley's resume for the HC job & see the return of Tomas Totland to the XI.

Pod out in the AM!
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
- Critch said he's had discussions w/FO that even if he doesn't get the head coach job, that he will be back next season. Said that's allowed him to feel "comfortable and confident and I feel good in that situation, yeah." #AllForCITY
mattbakerstl.bsky.social
- On FO convos on his status and what they need to see from him on his status: "Yes, they've been open and transparent. Showing we can have competitive performances, pick up points... constant conversations. Priority is still to find a sporting director first #AllForCITY