New signings shine in CITY SC 3-1 victory over Nashville

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - St. Louis CITY SC came out on top Saturday in a match against one of the leaders of the Eastern Conference, Nashville SC.

The 3-1 victory for CITY saw the team’s latest signings shine in front of the home crowd at Energizer Park.

CITY opened the score card in minute 23 with Jaziel Orozco taking a shot across the front of Nashville’s goal, sending it into the side netting on the opposite side. CITY signed the 21-year-old defender from CITY2 on July 18.

“He’s come into this group and been brave,” Interim Head Coach David Critchley said after the match. “He’s come from the second team. He’s been brave. He’s adapted right away. The team has welcomed him with open arms and I was really happy for him tonight.”

The buildup to Orozco’s goal came from a corner kick by Eduard Löwen, which Devin Padelford, who CITY acquired on a loan from Minnesota on July 22, headed as a pass to Orozco.

This was Orozco’s first MLS goal.

[ CITY2 ubeaten streak extended to 11 games with win over Whitecaps FC 2Opens in new window ]

"Something that I’ll never forget, and with the fans, with everyone, with a huge crowd, it’s always so nice to do that," Orozco said after the match.

In minute 39, CITY doubled its lead as Löwen carried the ball into Nashville’s penalty box, passed it to João Klauss who took a right footed shot and got it passed Nashville’s keeper.

In minute 66 of the second half, Sangbin Jeong, who CITY acquired from Minnesota on July 21, scored his first goal for the club, giving CITY insurance to win the match.

As CITY went on the attack in Nashville’s defensive end, Löwen passed the ball to Simon Becher, who made it to the left side of the Nashville goal while battling two defenders. Becher passed the ball up in front of the goal, where Sangbin was ready to head the ball into the back of the net.

In his post-match remarks, Sangbin spoke to the press through a translator, saying he had prepared all week with desperation and really wanted to score in this match against Nashville.

"He was starting to think that maybe today is not the day because he had some chances that he missed," Sangbin said through his translator. “He’s really happy because he ended up scoring a goal tonight.”

Late into the second half CITY’s Alfredo Morales fouled a Nashville player in CITY’s box, giving the away team a penalty kick.

As Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar went to take the penalty kick, he stutter stepped, nearly fully stopping before taking the shot. During this stutter step, CITY keeper Roman Bürki hopped off his line. Bürki successfully blocked Mukhtar’s shot and a rebound shot.

However, because of Bürki coming off his line, referee Lorenzo Hernandez called the players back, giving Mukhtar a second try. On the second attempt, Mukhtar got his shot past Bürki, giving Nashville their only point of the match.

CITY’s Man of the Matchday was yet another new signing, defender Fallou Fall. CITY signed Fall from Fredrikstad FK on July 15 and this was his first MLS match.

Fall had an excellent Defensive outing, having 60 touches, winning three tackles, winning four duels and making four recoveries.

“Against the ball, he was brilliant,” Critchley said. “On the ball, we’ve asked him to be brave and try to play out. I think he had maybe one or two stray passes but that’s okay. That’s going to happen, especially as you adjust and adapt to the League and the style that I’m asking for.”

Another game changer for the team this week is that this was CITY’s first game with Petey, an adorable Labrador Retriever, who is the team’s official pet.

"Hopefully we can go 2-0 next week with Petey," Critchley said. “I’m a big dog lover. I have two dogs myself back at home. I’m excited to see Petey around a lot."

CITY will be in play again on Saturday, Aug. 16 at SeatGeek Stadium against the Chicago Fire, starting at 7:30 p.m.

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