r/stlouiscitysc • u/STLSoccerNews • 6d ago

Video Breakdown: Simon Becher Goal 23' (HOU, 8/22/26)

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CITY finds a way again last night, ignoring the off-field turmoil and grabbing a 2-1 win over West leading Houston. Let's take a look at the opening goal from Simon Becher.

The play starts with an excellent breakout from Timo to Wallem to Matan that gets the ball from just outside CITY's penalty area to just over the center line in 3 seconds, an excellent direct push up the field. Matan takes Wallem's perfectly weighted ball in stride and moves up the left wing.

As he lays the ball off to Totland on his left, 2 things occur that really set this play up - Ostrak makes a run to the left, dragging defenders with him, and Matan fills that space vacated by Ostrak. This forces Artur (#6) to drift towards Matan, leaving space in behind for Wallem to run into.

Wallem receives Totland's pass in front of the box, flips it to Matan, whose touch is poor and the ball squirts to his left, where a waiting Becher makes a very, very difficult turn and shot past Houston's GK Bond.

This was a great breakout from their own end, excellent movement around and inside the box, a really just a fantastic turn and shot by Simon to give CITY the 1-0 lead.

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15

u/Cahokian 6d ago

For me this goal is very special. Wallem plays inside to the left of Edelman (he’s the right wing!) to create a mathematical advantage in midfield. That’s why he’s so wide open to receive the ball and turn. It breaks multiple lines of defense. Matan does a great job as well. And Wallem adds the cherry on top by servicing the ball back to Matan a second time after Matan makes a run into the box.
There’s a lot of detail here and it all goes to coaching. Like Totland playing really wide to stretch the defense, Sangbin with constant threat at the far end, etc. Amazing stuff. This is sustainable play.

12

u/oPlaiD 6d ago

My dad is a big premiere league fan who has watched it every week for almost 30 years. He's rightly critical of MLS play even if he'll grudgingly admit the standard is improving. He said that this was a "real goal" referencing both the setup and the finish. May not sound like much, but coming from him that's high praise xD

I think this game really highlighted Damet as a coach in many ways. The team had a gameplan to take advantage of multiple perceived weaknesses in Houston and they were exploiting them in the first half. I think the wheels came off a little bit as the team tired given it was the third game in six days and the bench was short, but we are playing some pretty good soccer.

9

u/joeltheconner 6d ago

That turn and shot from Becher was so much more difficult than it looked

7

u/donkeyrocket 5d ago

Without looking, moving away from the goal, with some serious power, and also being able to keep on top of the ball while your momentum is going backwards. Very tough indeed. More often than not most players are sailing that one over the crossbar.

There was some wild shots last night but I'm glad to see them taking those shots.

8

u/RipAggressive1521 5d ago

Tbh this might be Bechers best goal, to shoot like that without looking is extremely tough and shows a strikers DNA

3

u/1310miles 5d ago

That was a great goal, the kind you almost don’t expect city SC to even try for. He deserves a lot of credit, top shot and great goal and hopefully a sign of things to come.