City SC Posse - Ep 17: Maturity Test Failed, but The Cup is Calling

St. Louis CITY SC had a chance to prove something in D.C.

After beating Colorado on the road and LAFC at home, CITY entered Saturday with real momentum, a chance at three straight MLS wins, and an opportunity to climb closer to the playoff line. Instead, they scored first, sat too deep, gave up a 90th-minute equalizer, survived a stoppage-time offside goal, and left with a 1-1 draw that felt like one point earned, two points dropped, and a small emotional incident report.

In Episode 17 of City SC Posse, Bright and Kev break down the D.C. draw and ask the obvious question: was this a decent road point or a missed opportunity? The answer, unfortunately, is both. CITY is unbeaten in three MLS matches, but this was the kind of game improving teams learn to close.

The guys talk through the rotated lineup, Hartel missing due to illness, Orozco’s injury, Fallou Fall’s strong first start, Sang-Bin’s continued goal involvement, Becher and Teuchert’s attacking questions, and Durkin scoring against his former club. Then it gets into the real frustration: Damet’s second-half tactics. CITY brought on Löwen, Córdova, Edelman, and Totland, yet somehow became more passive as the game went on.

And yes, we talk Wallem. Another rough performance, another wasted chance, two yellows, a stoppage-time red card, and now a suspension for Austin that might accidentally be helpful. If CITY looks better without him, the conversation gets very simple.

Then the attention turns to Houston. CITY hosts the Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal, and suddenly the Cup is not a cute little side quest. Win Tuesday, and CITY is two wins from a trophy. Lose, and the D.C. draw feels even more annoying.

CITY failed the maturity test, but the Cup is calling. Time to answer.

Listen now at NFNPPOD.com or wherever you get podcasts.