What's Happening?
St. Louis City has appointed Yoann Damet as their new permanent manager, marking his debut in this role during the season opener against Charlotte FC. Damet, a 35-year-old Frenchman, previously served as an interim manager at FC Cincinnati and was an assistant coach at Columbus Crew. St. Louis City, which had a strong start as an expansion team in 2023, has struggled in the past two seasons, missing the postseason in both 2024 and 2025. The team is looking to improve under Damet's leadership, having shown promise late last season under interim manager David Critchley. The team traded their leading scorer Joao Klauss to the Los Angeles Galaxy but retained key midfielder Marcel Hartel. Charlotte FC, under manager Dean Smith, has also been making
strategic moves, including signing U.S. World Cup hopeful Luca de la Torre, to enhance their midfield and improve their possession game.
Why It's Important?
The appointment of Yoann Damet as St. Louis City's manager is significant as it represents a strategic move to revitalize the team's performance after two disappointing seasons. Damet's leadership could potentially steer the team back to its initial success as an expansion team. For Charlotte FC, the addition of Luca de la Torre is a critical step in addressing their possession issues, which have hindered their playoff performance. Both teams are making calculated changes to improve their standings in the MLS, which could impact their competitiveness and fan engagement. The success of these strategies could influence other MLS teams in their management and player acquisition decisions.
What's Next?
As the MLS season begins, all eyes will be on how St. Louis City performs under Damet's leadership. The team's ability to integrate new strategies and players will be crucial in determining their success this season. For Charlotte FC, the focus will be on how effectively they can utilize de la Torre to improve their possession game and advance further in the playoffs. The outcomes of these initial matches could set the tone for the rest of the season and influence future managerial and player decisions.
