João Klauss created history for St. Louis CITY SC with their 3-3 draw against LA Galaxy at Energizer Park. He scored three goals, with a stoppage-time goal to deny defeat, keep the team home invincible and achieve the team's first hat-trick ever.
St. Louis reached their 100th league regular game and moved to 15 points to remain at number 14 within the Western Conference. The Galaxy, on the other hand, left with the disappointment of watching a win slip away. They remain at the bottom of the table with only eight points.
Two targets and peak intensity
St. Louis CITY SC pressured, controlled possession, and maintained a patient build-up. The reward was just after the 35th minute when João Klauss received a pass in box midfield and hit it with precision on his left foot to give them the lead.
And so did the Galaxy. Gabriel Pec was given some breathing space on his own midway through the 41st minute and took advantage of a breakdown in defense to slide it into a near corner to make it equal. Breakneck speeds continued until halftime, with grueling midfield struggles and an open competition at opposing goals.
Retaliation, drama, and a hat-trick at
Shortly after halftime, in minute number 47, Klauss returned. He picked up the ball on the right side of the box, cut nicely around a defender, and drove a powerful shot by the keeper. It was his second and CITY's second goal for the day.
Nevertheless, Galaxy equalized within quarter of an hour. Nascimento scored in minute 51, and, at minute 62, Pec scored again after exploiting the space left by defense. The game became intense with several fouls and a thick crowd.
It looked like St. Louis was coming up short when Bürki fired it from distance, Baumgartl cleared it across, and Klauss calmly finished. Goal in the 94th minute, and unbridled jubilation at Energizer Park. A tie was like a win.
Apart from that, CITY finished off against LA Galaxy unbeaten, with a win and a draw from the two games.