The MLS Primary Transfer Window closed with a flurry of moves last week. Now that the dust is settled let’s take a look at the moves St. Louis City SC made as they try to give Olof Mellberg more quality in his team.
We’ll start with the most recent acquisition; Xande Silva. The Portuguese winger was acquired from Atlanta United on deadline deal that will see up to $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) sent to the Five Stripes in return. While he may have fallen out of favor in Atlanta, there’s plenty for City fans to be excited.
Courtesy: Will Bramlett
First and foremost, he has noted 1v1 ability. “He’s got speed, he’s got power,” Manager Olof Mellberg said of the new signing on Friday. He also noted that Silva can play multiple positions, which seems to be a trait the gaffer values in his squad. Additionally, Silva has shown a tendency to be involved in the attack when he has been on the pitch and as a result has put up some decent numbers. He was tied with Diego Luna, Jared Stroud and Emil Forsberg with .15 goals added (g+) in 2024. He was also 11th among wingers with at least 1500 minutes played when it comes to passing completion, was 12th in shots per 96 with 2.6 and was 8th in shots on target per 96 with 1.33. As City continues to search for a way to generate quality chances and goals, perhaps Silva can help solve that equation.
As for where he fits, that’s yet to be seen. He’s primarily played as a left winger but with Célio Pompeu now emerging as a preferred attacker in Olof’s system, Silva could shift to the right side; where City has badly needed a player who can help progress and build the attack to balance what Célio shows on the left. We saw him on the bench against LAFC and time will tell how he slots into Mellberg’s Xi.
All of St. Louis’ other additions are names most are familiar with so I won’t get as in depth on their descriptions. Starting with Alfredo Morales. The 34-year old midfielder was signed during the preseason after a successful stint as a trialist. While he isn’t the most agile player on the pitch, he has stepped up in a time where City’s midfield was depleted and has probably seen more minutes than expected this early in the season. He hasn’t been perfect but I would say he’s been a decent signing thus far.
Conrad Wallem and Timo Baumgartl were both announced in January, and I think we’ve seen bright moments from both that reflect their quality. Wallem, who is on a season long loan from SK Slavia Prague, has been a regular starter for Mellberg in various positions. He adds pace and a dynamic flair to the team as he’s shown the ability to flow between the left and right side of the formation throughout the season. I think if the decision to purchase was being made today, I’d think City would have to open the checkbook and pay what is rumored to be a high fee for the Norwegian.
Baumgartl was added to reinforce the backline as St. Louis has shifted to a new formation this season. He didn’t get minutes right away, but I think he’s shown exactly why City signed the German over the last few weeks. His ability on the ball, to progress it down the field and pass it progressively has been something needed to help Mellberg’s transition game. His defensive ability has also come through as he has helped anchor the backline during the absence of Henry Kessler.
Finally, there was the announcement that City had picked up the purchase option of Simon Becher; making his move from AC Horsens permanent for a fee close to $250,000. Simon’s time in St. Louis started with several goals but his production has slowed, as most of the offense this season, as the club continues to find its’ identity in the final third. He adds depth at a spot where City is thin and was relatively cheap. Not to mention his ties to the city as a former SLU player. So, it’s a no brainer move that makes a ton of sense.
Overall Grade: B-
First a disclaimer; it’s way too early to really give the window a grade in my opinion. That’s not exclusive to St. Louis either. I think players need time to settle and managers need time to figure out how new signings fit and what system tweaks are needed. But for the sake of this write up, I’ll give City a solid B-.
Over the first three seasons, City has shown they are not the club to go out and get splashy names, so I didn’t expect that in this window, nor do I think it happens in the summer. I think this window was one where the club is trying to balance the adjustments to Mellberg’s City 2.0 system while continuing to focus on a few areas. I can’t fault any of the additions. Perhaps I can question if there were better options than Morales or even Silva; but I won’t ever know who was on Lutz’s list at the time those decisions were made. City added two versatile wingers, a defensive midfielder, a center back and picked up the purchase option on a striker. While the names aren’t flashy, and I don’t necessarily regard and of these as additions as “game breakers”; I think they were all moves that addressed positions of need that hopefully make the roster deeper. I’m optimistic that they will give Mellberg more options as we await the final form of City 2.0 to be revealed, and I will be very curious to see what City does when the summer window opens later this year.
Taking his passion for soccer and St. Louis to the next level, Jeremy aims to provide analytical coverage of all this St. Louis City SC.
