Advertise on podcast: The City Spotlight

During the Y98 halftime show, Jen Siess shared a conversation had with Mr. Soccer, Bill McDermott, earlier in the week as St. Louis CITY SC hosted an event at Energizer Park to celebrate members of U.S. Open Cup champion teams 1986 St. Louis Kutis SC and 1988 Busch Seniors, ahead of the club competing in the U.S. Open Cup Final. Mr. Soccer shared the importance of celebrating STL’s past in the nation’s oldest soccer tournament, while looking ahead to the future at the same time. Formerly a broadcaster for the Columbus Crew, Bill talked about the full-circle nature of the COL/STL matchup with Yoann Damet returning to his former club as an opponent. Finally, Mr. Soccer praised Damet and staff for turning the team around this season with their structured style of play, managing personalities, and helping every individual player improve within the system for extraordinary results.

During the Y98 pregame show, Jen Siess shared thoughts from St. Louis CITY SC's #1 Goalkeeper, Roman Burki, ahead of the team’s fourth of seven matches in 21 days - this time in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Championship Final against the Columbus Crew. Burki talked about how the team plans to “play the game, not the event”, with hopes to honor STL's history with The Beautiful Game over the years. He talked frankly about the team’s lesson from the loss in Minnesota which snapped their record-breaking 21-game unbeaten streak, acknowledging that the lesson may have come at a good time ahead of the Open Cup final. Roman shared that he’s never experienced an in-season turnaround like CITY has had this season, crediting the upgrades to the style of play by Yoann Damet and staff. Finally, CITY’s captain confirmed that, though a lot has been achieved, the team is still not satisfied,

During the Y98 pregame show, Jen Siess caught up with CITY Head Coach, Yoann Damet, ahead of the team’s fourth of seven matches in 21 days - this time in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Championship Final against the Columbus Crew. Coach Damet talked about this historical moment for the club and how the team is excited and motivated to make St. Louis proud. He shared his thoughts about the team's recent record-breaking 21-match unbeaten streak, and how it came about due to every player’s willingness to get better, with a consistent performance mindset, and collective pride in performance. Finally, Damet expressed the meaningfulness behind returning to his prior Crew club, this time as an opponent, in what will be CITY’s biggest game to date, looking to lift the trophy by managing key moments in a game of crucial details.

During the Y98 halftime show, Jen Siess talked with Joe Olwig with World Wide Technology who was the coach of that St. Louis Busch Seniors team that won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Championship in 1988. Joe shared his excitement for St. Louis CITY SC playing in the Open Cup final, remembering the previous winning teams from St. Louis. With the growth of CITY over the course of the season to not only be in the final, but to also clinch a playoff berth early and maintain a 21 game unbeaten streak, Joe talked about Coach Damet’s success in having and implementing a structured winning style of play with the team. Finally, Joe shared his hopes for the Open Cup trophy to, once again, come back to St. Louis which would mean so much to the Soccer Capital of the US.

During the Y98 pregame show, Jen Siess visited with St. Louis CITY SC centerback, Timo Baumgartl, ahead of the team’s third of seven matches in 21 days up north to take on Minnesota. Baumgartl reflected on the team’s progress since April where he scored a goal in Seattle. CITY’s positive defender stressed that he always believed in the eventual progress of the team given how they prepared, approached, and performed in games, despite fewer results early in the season. Just one point behind the Western Conference leader, Baumgartl talked about hunting Vancouver for the top spot, proud of how the team performed most recently against the Whitecaps, welcoming the intensity that they will see in the playoffs. Finally, a guy who prefers more games, Timo shared what he likes the most and least about training.

During the Y98 pregame show, Dale Schilly caught up with CITY Head Coach, Yoann Damet, ahead of the team’s third of seven matches in 21 days up north to take on Minnesota. Coach Damet reflected on the team’s midweek 0-0 draw with Vancouver, a team he considers to be among the best in the league, and how pressured matches like that one sets the team up for future success with handling nerves, managing momentum, and refining details. He was proud of the squad’s ability to play themselves back into the game with initial pressure from the Whitecaps, becoming braver on the ball and more patient in the attack. Adjusting to the congested schedule with his staff and players, Damet emphasized the importance of preparation and recovery as tools which allow the team to be confident in any performance.

During the Y98 halftime show, Jen Siess visited in-booth with Meg Raby Klinghoffer, autistic advocate, author and nonprofit management specialist at KultureCity on “Soccer For All Night” at Energizer Park. Author of the "My Brother Otto" children’s book series and a contributor to "Scary Mommy”, Meg shared the mission and focus of KultureCITY, a CITY partner which helps provide sensory calming kits and resources, plus staff training, to make the stadium more accessible for all guests with sensory needs. Meg shared information about how everyone knows someone with sensory needs and/or invisible disabilities, and how their work with partners like CITY helps to make more life experiences enjoyable by all.

During the Y98 pregame show, Jen Siess caught up with CITY Centerback, Fallou Fall, ahead of the team’s second of 7 matches in 21 days hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps at Energizer Park. Fall shared his soccer journey from his home country of Senegal where, from an early age, he wanted to be a pro. With the dream of playing for his senior national team, Fall compared his style of defending with a player he admires, David Alabar - not only defending, but also initiating the attack with line-breaking passes. Finally, Fall talked about how he and the team look to build on their 20-game unbeaten streak by taking one game at a time, continuing with their identity of being brave in the attack in all phases of play, as they look to also challenge for first place in the Western Conference and clinch a playoff spot.

During the Y98 pregame show, Dale Schilly caught up with CITY Head Coach, Yoann Damet, ahead of the team’s second of 7 matches in 21 days hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps at Energizer Park. With the club looking to build on its 20-game unbeaten streak and clinch a playoff spot, Coach Damet talked about his appreciation of STL fans pushing the team for each result. Never satisfied, he also talked about their work trying to stay consistent through the highs and lows of play, always looking for areas of improvement. Damet mentioned that as “clarity creates collective understanding”, the team continues to work to start and finish games strong as they look to take on the first place Western Conference team, Vancouver, with which a win will also put CITY in the #1 spot.

During the Y98 halftime show, Dale Schilly visited in-booth with Diego Henríquez, FOX and Tigo Sports soccer analyst in Central America. Dale talked with Diego about setting up soccer trips for El Salvadoran youth teams for 8 years, coming to St. Louis to play The Beautiful Game. Diego shared his thoughts on CITY’s success this season, along with his experience broadcasting the most recent World Cup games, plus his thought on how Major League Soccer is viewed as a league of opportunity for Central American players growing in the game. Dale and Diego also discussed a tremendous first half, as well as the opportunity CITY has to bring home their first trophy.

During the Y98 pregame show, Jen Siess caught up with CITY Striker, Simon Becher, for a re-visit since their first conversation back in July, ahead of the team’s first of 7 matches in 21 days hosting the LA Galaxy at Energizer Park for MLS Sunday Night Soccer. Becher gave some perspective on his progress on the year, going from struggling in the finish, to being among MLS’s leading goal scorers since the World Cup break. He also talked about the importance of tuning out the noise during challenging times by focusing on whose opinions matter and the controllables. Finally, Simon talked about welcoming his good friend and former CITY striker, João Klauss, back to Energizer Park as an opponent.

During the Y98 pregame show, Dale Schilly caught up with CITY Head Coach, Yoann Damet, ahead of the team’s first of 7 matches in 21 days hosting the LA Galaxy at Energizer Park for MLS Sunday Night Soccer. Coach Damet talked about prioritizing rest and recover during the team's last full week between games until the end of the season. With a focus on recovering-preparing-performing, Damet stressed the importance of mental freshness to “attack the month of October”. Finally, Coach previewed the LAG game against an opponent that looks very different than the last time they played, with former CITY striker, João Klauss returning to Energizer Park, this time as an opponent.

During the Y98 halftime show, Jen Siess chatted with Brad Davis, St. Louis native who played professionally in the MLS and also with the US Men’s National Team. Brad gave his thoughts on the USMNT’s performance at the last World Cup, expecting the team to become more competitive during this cycle as they prepare for 2030. He also talked about CITY’s current run of form that has given them an 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, and how that has been achieved with a club culture that is transparent and clear in its expectations of individuals and the collective. Finally, Brad shared his hopes for CITY to bring home another Lamar Hunt US Open Cup trophy and how that could create a culture of winning to set the team up for more future success.

During the Y98 pregame show, Jen Siess shared thoughts from St. Louis CITY SC Centerback, Jaziel Orozco, ahead of the team’s cross-conference match on the East Coast facing the New York Red Bulls for the first time in club history. Orozco talked about the team getting back to working on tactics in training with finally a full week between games in over 2 weeks. Jazi expressed his gratitude for CITY extending his contract through 2028 as he feels more home and settled in St. Louis since last year. He also talked about working with patience, confidence, and positive self-talk through any challenge in soccer, from injury to getting more playing time. Finally, Jazi shared the journey in The Beautiful Game with his supportive family, playing for a team that is strong and confident in each other.

During the Y98 pregame show, Dale Schilly caught up with CITY Head Coach, Yoann Damet, ahead of the team’s cross-conference match on the East Coast facing the New York Red Bulls for the first time in club history. Coach Damet broke down how CITY adapted to Toronto’s game plan by dictating momentum finding ways to solve what the opposition gave them. He also talked about the team culture of players striving to contribute individually, but all while supporting the successes of each other collectively toward the team-first mentality - with players and staff working to create a motivating, yet challenging, environment. Finally, Coach Damet previewed the matchup between CITY and the NYRB where both teams have adjusted their styles of play this season.