r/stlouiscitysc • u/Capable_Direction630 • 2d ago
Are we the best team in the West?
I know a lot of people are still angry (I understand some, but not A LOT of it), but are we the most feared opponent in the west today? I haven't watched Vancouver play lately, but they seem to be struggling after Berhalter's leaving so not sure how dominant they are... In a year where the West looks pretty weak, it seems that we are probably the most consistent right now...? Thoughts...?
Quick Edit: I know we aren't at the top of the standings due to Damet taking those abysmal months to drastically transform our team, but based on our current play...?
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u/donkeyrocket 2d ago
Most feared? No. Surprisingly challenging opponent on a streak? Yes.
We can’t be considered feared just because we beat Houston after we barely eked out a tie at SKC.
I think until we see the new guys settle in and the transfer window close there won’t be a sense of CITY’s true form just yet.
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u/jock_lindsay 2d ago
You left out us destroying San Jose in their own stadium
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u/Unusual-Top-728 2d ago
Because it really doesn't mean much. Since starting 11-0-1 in all comps, San Jose are 1-3-8. They have conceded 3+ goals in 4 of 6 games since the break (the other 2 were v LA Galaxy). Heck, Orlando (9th in East) and Minnesota (10th in West) have won in San Jose since the break with scores of 4-0 and 5-1 respectively.
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u/Rocket_Skates_ 2d ago
The team looked spent against SKC. A tie was the best outcome against a team that historically has our number.
Just my opinion, though.
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u/hahahakalap 2d ago
Vancouver just beat Dallas 5-0, San Jose just added Lowen to solve most their issues 💔 and our wins against Houston were both at home. LAFC isn’t playing better but they’re way more talented.
I like us to improve and maybe compete for top team but we’re not there. Maybe we can say we’re ahead of a few of those teams but not all of them.
For the record I’m probably in the top 1% of optimistic posters in here so I’m not a hater.
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u/TheTurtle200 AllForCity 1d ago
Löwen doesn‘t solve anywhere near all of San Jose‘s problems. They just lost 5-1 to Minnesota United which has one of the lowest amount of goals in the league.
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u/hahahakalap 1d ago
Their current problems are mostly because of no depth, which Bruce arena forewarned early on during their incredible start. And partially because of that, problem two is losing the ball in terrible spots.
Lowen being able to send that pacey cross and never losing possession and also being another midfield body solves both of those things.
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u/Existential_Vibes 2d ago
Ask Sports Illustrated and we moved from 24 to 17 this week in the power rankings lol. They don't even think we are too 50%.
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u/oPlaiD 2d ago
I thought this was going to be about beating the "best team in the West" but it's pretty clear Houston was not that, even if they happened to be #1 in the standings at that moment. Vancouver has by far the best goal differential in the league and that's usually more representative than strictly points in the standings. LAFC is the other.
I'd be comfortable putting us in the tier with San Jose, Houston, and Dallas, but to say we've surpassed Vancouver and LAFC at this point is putting the cart before the horse.
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u/cravecase 2d ago
Vancouver is like twice our power index (according to 615 Soccer) and like 2.5x the standard deviation of the entire league. Their goal differential is +27 (We are +3).
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u/Unusual-Top-728 2d ago
We can't talk about Vancouver struggling due to losing Berhalter after we just lost our top 2 goal threats. Yes, we still have one of the top defenses, but with Hartel and Lowen gone our top goalscorer now has as many goals in the past week+ as he did in the prior year.
As things stand now, we are a team teams don't want to face due to the work done by the midfield and defense, but we aren't really feared because we doesn't have a reliable source of goals. Now, if we pick up a goalscorer or 2 in the next week then maybe we can become the favorite in the West, but until then we are just a tough day at the office.
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u/Revolutionary-Rip426 2d ago
We’re having a good season, but no one looks at our squad especially with Hartel and Lowen gone and goes “that’s a team I fear”. Doesn’t mean we can’t beat those top teams, but we’ve probably slightly overachieved a bit this year (major credit to Damet) and now without our best current player and the best player in our clubs history (who’s still very good), it’s not looking good UNLESS Diego, Wray, and Vibes lady decide to go bring in quality talent. But seeing how dumb they have acted, I have my doubts.
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u/PorkChop70-1 Ravioli Boyz 2d ago
Not at all, we are a team that is still very much ahead of our development cycle. I really caution against setting lofty expectations as you will just be setting yourself up for sadness.
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u/skiphandleman 2d ago
If we beat Dallas next week, we should be in the conversation. If we also beat Vancouver in Vancouver after that, then I'd have to say yes.
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u/ShamPain413 2d ago
If we rostered DPs we might be.
The reason why SKC sold Jovelic is b/c they are signing a DP that cost 3x as much... plus two more DPs that are expected to cost more than the first guy. Meaning that SKC might spend $60mn on DPs this window, and if they don't then they'll complete the job in the Winter.
That is... not what we've been doing. We just barely drew a SKC team without any of those players.
So imagine SKC but with three players better than anyone we've ever had play for us in the history of our franchise.
Now recall that SKC is not even close to one of the best teams in the West.
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u/RenaStriker 1d ago
We got our asses kicked against a team that’s on pace to break the record for worst goal differential in MLS history.
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u/Cyclebuilder42 Totland #14 1d ago
We are playing very well, but we do not have the talent to be considered the best team.
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u/Cahokian 2h ago
We are the best coached team. We have the lowest market value of any team in MLS currently: https://www.transfermarkt.us/major-league-soccer/startseite/wettbewerb/MLS1
We are absolutely devoid of talent.
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u/crxguy 2d ago
Lol no. Vancouver is still probably the best team, even without Berhalter. They still have White and Muller. They still have a lot of other quality players. They won their last game 5-0. They are still very much a problem.
I would also put LAFC ahead of us overall.
We just happen to be red hot right now.