While fans around the St. Louis region are gearing up for tomorrow’s season opener for St. Louis City SC, head coach Olof Mellberg is all business. The team has finally returned to St. Louis after an extended stay in California due to the winter weather that moved through earlier in the week. It hasn’t impacted the team negatively according to Mellberg. “I think it [staying in California] was the best preparation for us considering the weather,” he told reporters Friday. “It would have been really difficult for us to train here on Tuesday, Wednesday so I think it was a good decision.”
As the preseason camps ramped up during the Coachella Valley Invitational, Mellberg’s tactical approach became a bit more clear. But he’s not been limited by the constructs of his philosophy as he’s embraced the challenge of getting to know his squad. “That’s one of the biggest tasks for me,” he said. “To try to get the most out of the players and putting them in a position where we can get the most out of their qualities.” He continued. “We have been experimenting with that and hopefully we’ll see some of that tomorrow.”
Marcel Hartel was one of the stand out players after the Leagues Cup break last season; providing a massive offensive spark during the late season charge. He is one of a few players who have taken on a slightly different role than last year and feels the team has taken to the new system well. “We had a good preseason,” Hartel said. “The work with Olof was good. We understand how we want to play with the ball and against the ball. We’re absolutely ready.”
In Mellberg’s system, Hartel has shifted to a preferred role as a central attacking midfielder. It’s a move that gives him more freedom on the pitch. “He gives me some options,” he said. “He says if you have the feeling to come down; to drop down to get some touches with the ball or to overload the side he’s happy when I do it,” he expanded. “He gives me some options but he gives me a lot of freedom in my game.”
St. Louis will hope that freedom translates to more goals as the team will look to improve on its’ scoring totals from last season. Hartel is confident that will happen. “We have a good balance between playing longer balls behind the lines to our strikers and wingbacks or to play on the ground to have good combinations in the final third,” he said. “I think we are prepared for the season.”
The work in the preseason hasn’t only been on improving offensive output. Mellberg has made it a point in the past to mention the importance of defensive structure in his system; a point that seems clear to the players. “We feel the team understands, especially the defense better,” Hartel said. “I think if you see his history as a player he doesn’t like to concede that many goals and he always told us ‘if you don’t concede a goal, you have the best chance to win a game.”
Saturday will be Mellberg’s first game in front of the Energizer Park crowd; which has become recognized throughout the league for the atmosphere created by the fans. “Really looking forward to seeing the fans here at the stadium,” he said. “I know the players are really looking forward to it.” Despite the anticipation, the new gaffer is keeping himself on task leading into the match. “My focus is on the game,” he said. “The game plan; preparing the players to perform. I don’t put too much energy into what is happening around that. It will be a new experience. I’m sure it will be a great experience, hopefully with 3 points.”
As for who will be in that first starting XI; the mystery remains as Mellberg didn’t elaborate when asked about the subject. “It’s going to be a mix of things,” he said. “Everybody who is fit, will be in the squad tomorrow. I’m confident about who will be in the eleven we will play tomorrow.”
St. Louis kicks off the 2025 MLS season tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. against the Colorado Rapids at Energizer Park.
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