Holding On To Slim Playoff Chances, Saint Louis FC Heads To Harrisburg City Without Preki

Saint Louis FC concluded a three-match homestand last Saturday with a disappointing 2-2 draw with FC Cincinnati. The squad will head to Pennsylvania this weekend to take on the Harrisburg City Islanders.

While the club will head to Pennsylvania with a healthy squad, it will be without Preki. The head coach was ejected from Saturday’s match just before the final whistle and will be suspended for at least this weekend’s match.

Saint Louis FC returns to St. Louis on October 7th for its final home match of the 2017 United Soccer League regular season against the Richmond Kickers.

Scroll down for a preview of this weekend’s match and more.

Late Penalty Leads To Draw Against FC Cincinnati

Fans at Toyota Stadium last Saturday thought they were a minute or less away from seeing the local club earned a valuable 3 points against FC Cincinnati. Instead, Saint Louis FC settled for a 2-2 draw.

Christian Volesky and Seth Rudolph scored to give STLFC a 2-0 lead before FCC got on the scoreboard in the 70th minute.

Three minutes into second half stoppage times, STLFC goalkeeper Devala Gorrick collided with a Cincinnati player while coming out to challenge the play. A penalty kick was awarded by the head referee and Cincinnati converted the penalty to draw even.

Preki was ejected from the match for voicing his displeasure with the call.

Assistant coach Tim Leonard will likely lead the team in Preki’s absence. Leonard, who starred as a player at Saint Louis University, served as the interim head coach for the final seven games of the 2016 season after Dale Schilly was relieved of his duties.

Playoff Hopes Fade Further With Draw

Heading into Week 28 of the USL season, STLFC finds itself in 10th place in the USL East. With three matches remaining, the club sits three points behind Bethlehem Steel FC and New York Red Bulls II, the teams tied for the 8th playoff spot with 38 points.

STLFC will need to win its last three matches and get some help from the rest of the league in order to make the playoffs this season.

New York has four matches left to play, while Bethlehem Steel has five. Bethlehem takes on the Tampa Bay Rowdies this afternoon.

Saint Louis FC and Bethlehem Steel FC will meet on October 15 in Pennsylvania in the regular season finale for both clubs.

Vote Gorrick, Vote Rudolph

Saint Louis FC goalkeeper Devala Gorrick is up for USL Week 27 Save of the Week for a diving save he made in the first minute of second-half stoppage time against Cincinnati. Gorrick also made this fantastic save in the match.

Gorrick is currently second in the voting to Fabian Cerda of Tulsa Roughnecks FC. In third place is Washington, MO native Matt Pickens.

Voting in the Save of the Week contest ends tomorrow morning so, vote now for Devala Gorrick. 

Seth Rudolph is up for Week 27 Goal of the Week as well. Voting ends tomorrow morning with Rudolph currently in fourth place so, vote now for Seth Rudolph. 

Stream The Match Saturday

Every USL match this season can be streamed live on YouTube. Find the link below to stream Saturday’s match.

Want to watch the match with friends? Head to International Tap House in Soulard on Saturday for the official Louligans watch party.

Are you in the St. Charles area? Head to Hattrick’s Irish Sports Pub in O’Fallon.

Saint Louis FC vs Harrisburg City #HARvSTL

 

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