The Streak That Defies Logic
St. Louis City’s nine-game unbeaten run isn’t a fluke; it’s a statement after Saturday’s 3-1 demolition of the San Jose Earthquakes. The most shocking part isn’t the result, but how they got there. They controlled less than half the ball (45% to be exact) and still dismantled the visitors. Yahoo Sports MLS noted the club outshot their opponents 13 to 7 while holding the line in San Jose. That’s efficiency you rarely see from a team that doesn’t dominate possession, yet they found a way to win.
Simon Becher was the engine of this performance, netting two goals to lead the charge. He has now tied his career high with four goals this season after his third multi-goal game. A perfectly timed run by Daniel Edelman produced the opening goal in the seventh minute. He slipped between defenders for a sliding finish off a cross from Conrad Wallem. The Earthquakes tried to answer back with a goal from Beau Leroux in the 47th minute, but the damage was already done.
Seven minutes in.
How Becher and Edelman Changed the Game
The first goal came from a set piece that caught everyone off guard. Eduard Löwen played an inward-arcing corner kick that found the head of the 6-foot-1 Becher. He slammed home a header from just five yards out in the 27th minute to double the lead. The second strike arrived later in the match when Tomas Totland flicked a cross to the back post. Becher finished from point-blank range in the 55th minute to make it 3-1.
Per Yahoo Sports MLS, Becher is proving he can be the difference maker in tight games. His ability to find space in the box is a skill that many top teams lack. Acquired in January for general allocation money, Edelman also hit a career high of two goals. His first four MLS seasons with the New York Red Bulls yielded three goals and three assists before he joined St. Louis. The young midfielder is finally getting the opportunities he needs to shine.
Angus Gunn made four saves for the San Jose Earthquakes, but it was not enough to stop the bleeding. After the World Cup break, the Earthquakes have now lost three games within their four-game winless streak. They sit in fourth place in the Western Conference with 33 points, just one ahead of St. Louis. This loss hurts their standing as they try to climb the ladder in a very tight race.
Why does consistency elude them so often?
What This Win Means for the Playoff Push
This result shows that St. Louis City does not need to control the game to win it. They can stand firm, wait for a mistake, and punish their opponents when the chance arrives. The team has a clear identity that relies on speed and precision rather than slow buildup play. This approach is working well for them as they extend their unbeaten streak to nine games.
The gap at the top of the table is shrinking, and every point matters. First-place Houston leads Vancouver and Los Angeles FC by one point, as both teams hold 34 points. St. Louis is close enough to make a real push if they keep this momentum going. The loss for San Jose leaves them vulnerable as they struggle to find consistency.
Next up, St. Louis faces a schedule that tests their mettle. San Diego FC will face the Portland Timbers on Wednesday, while Los Angeles FC travels to the Colorado Rapids. The competition is fierce and the margin for error is nonexistent. St. Louis City has shown they can beat anyone on their day. They just need to keep doing it to secure a spot in the playoffs.
