Photos: St. Louis City SC kicks off MLS home schedule with draw against Real Salt Lake

St. Louis Public Radio | By Eric Lee

Published February 25, 2024 at 12:46 PM CST

Supporters gather before St. Louis City SC’s match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at CITYPARK in Downtown West. The teams drew during their first match of the 2024 MLS season. — 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: