St. Louis CITY SC begins its fourth Major League Soccer season on Saturday, February 21, hosting Eastern Conference rival Charlotte FC at Energizer Park. The match, kicking off at 1:30 pm CT, will be the league’s first game of the 2026 season and the debut competitive match for new head coach Yoann Damet. Fans can secure their tickets through SeatGeek ahead of the game.
Broadcast and Streaming Details for the Season Opener
Supporters can stream the match live on MLS on Apple TV. English television commentary will be provided by Jessica Charman and analyst Ian Joy, while Spanish coverage will feature Nacho Garcia. On the radio, English commentary will be available on KYKY Y98.1 FM with Joey Zanaboni and Dale Schilly, and Spanish broadcasts will be carried on KXOK 102.9 FM with Santiago Beltran and Hector Vega.
Pre-Match Festivities and Special Celebrations
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to participate in the CITY Block Party at Lou Fusz Plaza, which includes performances by American Authors and Evie, the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, and notable appearances by the Budweiser Clydesdales. This season’s Black History Month is honored with the debut of the Tina Turner Kit on the field. Gates open at noon, with exclusive 2026 Home Opener Pennants offered while supplies last. Additional matchday features include anthem singing by Marissa Menedez, guest chef Nick Williams, the Merch of the Match featuring the 2026 Away Kit, arts presentations by the Regional Arts Commission, and music by Match DJ Stazi.
Past Encounters and Previous Season Performance
Saturday’s match represents only the second competitive meeting between St. Louis CITY SC and Charlotte FC. The teams first met in the 2023 inaugural season when St. Louis hosted Charlotte, securing a 3-1 victory with goals from Eduard Löwen and Klauss, marking St. Louis’ first home win in MLS history. Notably, St. Louis CITY SC has remained unbeaten in its three previous MLS season-openers.
Reflecting on 2025, St. Louis CITY SC displayed strong form in the latter part of the season, scoring 20 goals across their final ten games. Midfielder Marcel Hartel ended the year with 15 goal contributions, including eight in just seven matches during midseason. A remarkable 24 different players scored at least once in the regular season, the highest in MLS for 2025, while 20 players recorded assists—the most in the league that year. Charlotte FC finished the 2025 campaign ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 19-13-2 record.
Insights on Charlotte FC’s Strengths and Key Players
Charlotte FC exhibited impressive offensive and defensive displays in 2025. The team scored a total of 55 goals and performed strongly at home with a 13-3-1 record, while managing a 6-1-10 record in away matches. Including playoff games, Charlotte lost just one of its last six road contests and secured clean sheets in their final two matches of 2025—the first back-to-back shutouts in all competitions in club history. Key scorers for Charlotte included forwards Wilfried Zaha and Idan Toklomati, along with midfielder Pep Biel, each registering at least 10 goals during the regular season, reflecting the club’s growing offensive depth compared to previous years when only two players reached double-digit goals.
Looking Ahead: Expectations for the Season Opener
The 2026 opener is poised to be a significant event for St. Louis CITY SC, especially with the arrival of head coach Yoann Damet and the opportunity to continue their unbeaten record in season openers. The combination of vibrant fan engagement through the block party and on-field tributes like the Tina Turner Kit add layers of community and cultural importance to the match. With both clubs fielding talented squads and eager to establish early momentum, this game could shape key dynamics in the Eastern Conference for the year ahead.
