João Klauss scored late at Q2 Stadium to give St Louis SC a 3-2 road win over Austin FC in the expansion team’s first ever MLS game.
St Louis City SC enjoyed a dream start to life in Major League Soccer on Saturday, as João Klauss’ late winner earned the debutants a 3-2 victory on the road at highly-fancied Austin FC.
Defender Tim Parker went down in the St Louis history books at Q2 Stadium, scoring the Missouri franchise’s first ever MLS goal to give the visitors a first-half lead in Texas. From a right-wing corner, Parker rose highest at the near post to head home past Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
Watch the historic moment:
Stroud, Klauss secure win after Austin fightback
Austin then recovered to turn the scoreboard on its head, Sebastián Driussi levelling in first-half stoppage time, before Jon Gallagher made it 2-1 to the hosts with just under 20 remaining.
However, after Jared Stroud had netted a quickfire leveller against his former team, Klauss completed a thrilling win for St Louis with a neat turn and finish with just five minutes left.
First MLS home match up next for St Louis
The newcomers, who have become the 29th team in America’s elite men’s soccer league, now turn their attentions to their first ever home game in MLS. Bradley Carnell’s men welcome Charlotte FC to Citypark on Saturday 4 March, with kick-off at 8:30pm ET.
Meanwhile, Austin are again at home on matchday two, the Verde and Black hosting CF Montréal on Saturday 4 March at 8:30pm ET.