Supporters gather before St. Louis City SC’s match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West. The teams drew during their first match of the 2024 MLS season.
St. Louis City SC played to a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake in the team's 2024 Major League Soccer home opener on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 22,500.
After an RLC goal in the 74th minute, St. Louis forward Samuel Adeniran responded with the equalizer in the 79th. Aderniran and head coach Bradley Carnell later acknowledged the RLC pressure on the team throughout the game.
“You never want to leave a game at 0 points — no matter what. No matter how bad or good you played,” Aderniran said after the match. “Getting a point against a tough opponent is very important. When you have the momentum of not losing, it helps you move forward.”
Despite the team’s challenges, Aderniran said there’s a drive with the St. Louis squad going into the club's second season. “We always keep fighting for the fans, keep fighting for the organization,” he said. “Being able to continue to fight even when you’re down is what’s most important because you’re going to find yourself down in this league a lot.”
City's next match will be against the Houston Dynamo in the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup on Tuesday at CityPark.
See photographs from the game below from St. Louis Public Radio photojournalist Eric Lee:
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City SC President and General Manager Diego Gigliani delivers beer to Maggie O'Brien’s staff before the team's game against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
From left: STL Santos members “Mickey Minaj,” "El Guapo" and "Super Santo" before St. Louis City SC’s match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Gus Purschke, 26, of Fenton swings a stick at a piñata filled with whiskey before St. Louis City SC’s match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday outside the Pepper Lounge in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Smino performs before St. Louis City SC’s match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
A St. Louis City SC supporter wears a neon necklace while holding a beer before St. Louis City SC takes on Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
The starting lineups for St. Louis City SC and Real Salt Lake enter with player escorts as flames erupt from a pyrotechnic machine on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
From left: St. Louis City SC players Anthony Markanich, Njabulo Blom, João Klauss and Eduard Löwen stand with their player escorts as they listen to national anthem during their match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Nick Lammering, better known as "T-Rav Man," cheers during the team’s match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
The starting lineup for St. Louis City SC huddle during the match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Real Salt Lake celebrates a goal scored by RLC forward Cristian Arango (9) on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
A St. Louis City SC supporter watches anxiously ahead of a corner kick against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City SC defender Tomas Totland (14) stops an attacking play against Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (8) during their match on Saturday at CITYPARK in Downtown West. The teams drew during their first match of the 2024 MLS season.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City SC midfielder Christopher Durkin (8) attempts to pass the ball as Real Salt Lake midfielder Emeka Eneli (8) applies pressure on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Real Salt Lake midfielder Andres Gomez (11) and St. Louis City SC defender Joakim Nilsson (4) watch as St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki (1) deflects a shot attempt during their match on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City SC defender Joshua Yaro (15) is acknowledged after a defensive play by St. Louis City SC defender Joakim Nilsson (4) during their match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City SC forward Samuel Adeniran (16) shoots and scores against Real Salt Lake on Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City SC fans cheer after a goal by forward Samuel Adeniran (16), not pictured, Saturday at CityPark in Downtown West.