St. Louis City SC declines option on Kessler but in talks to keep center back with club St. Louis City SC did not pick up the option on center back Henry Kessler, but is in talks to re-sign him. Klauss, Durkin, Jeong have options picked up

To answer the most popular question, the team has a postseason training block planned and to do that, it needed to execute player options. www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

As to what this says about the sporting director search, it could mean they're close and the candidates have approved the list, or it says they're not close. It also says Hackworth isn't taking the interim title as some honorary thing.

And picking up their options doesn't mean they're playing next season. Teams could still look to move players and get something in return rather than letting them walk for nothing.

Can't really say there's much in the way of surprises here. Kessler the only big name whose option wasn't picked up, and his salary and injuries no doubt a factor. He's one of highest paid players, missed half the season, and they have Fall and Baumgartl.

Loan agreements on Wallem and Padelford go through end of year, but club is talking with parent clubs about possible return. Lundt is out of contract and can be a free agent, though is also talking with club about staying.

Option day for City SC: Picked up options on Durkin, Jeong, Klauss, McSorley, Olivares, Orozco and Perez. Declined options for Kessler, Wentzel, Yaro, Alm, Morales and Watts. Club says its in talks with Kessler, Yaro about returning. Discussions on options in progress on Zalinsky, Reid and Antwi.

Or a prep rally, as Bradley Carnell prefers to call them

City2 will play its conference semifinal match on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Energizer Park. Opponent will be announced Wednesday

After playing for City SC on Saturday, McSorley scores twice for City2 on Sunday in playoff opener Brendan McSorley played for both City SC and City2 on consecutive days, and he scored two goals as City2 broke open a tight playoff game late for a 3-0 win

McSorley and Joyner both played twice on the weekend, and McSorley broke the game open late www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

After playing for City SC on Saturday, McSorley scores twice for City2 on Sunday in playoff opener Brendan McSorley played for both City SC and City2 on consecutive days, and he scored two goals as City2 broke open a tight playoff game late for a 3-0 win

McSorley played 115 minutes on the weekend and Mykhi Joyner played 98 www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

Hackworth said he would leave the choice up to assistant coach Dale Schilly.

City2 will face either 5th seed Colorado or 3rd seed Minnesota in the conference semifinals. They had two wins and a tie against Minnesota, a win, loss and tie against Colorado. City2 will pick on Monday, though selection won't be announced till Wednesday

Hackworth on Watts: "He was with us in training yesterday. The whole group gave him an ovation for he contributed to the 2nd team alone, same with Jayden Reid. But at this moment, they're looking at their futures."

Option watch: Akil Watts and Jay Reid were both eligible to play for City2 and were not on the roster, which may be a hint as to whether or not their City SC options have been picked up. McSorley, Antwi, Orozco, Perez and Olivares are in similar situations but played.

Two goals for Brendan McSorley for City2 after coming off the bench for City SC last night. Other goal was an own goal

It's a final: City2 3, Ventura County 0. On to the conference semifinals for City2, expected to be next Saturday at Energizer Park

City2 will get to pick its opponent for the next round from among the two lowest remaining seeds. Draft will be on Monday, but opponent won't be announced until Wednesday

McSorley scores again, in the 87th minute, to make it 3-0 off a nice cross-field pass from Jaaskelainen. It will be on to the next round for City2

McSorley, finally, scores, in the 81st minute, in off the far post to put City2 up 2-0. Assist to Tyson Pearce

64th minute, Joyner comes in for Kidd

At the half, City2 1, Ventura County 0. 3rd minute own goal by Ventura off a Wan Kuzain free kick remains the only goal. McSorley has had a bunch of chances and been denied every time

City2 goes ahead 1-0 in the third minute off a Wan Kuzain free kick. Looked like it was an own goal .

57 degrees at kickoff at Energizer Park for City2 vs Ventura County in the first round of the MLS Next Pro playoffs

Roster notes: Joyner played 72 minutes for City SC last night and will come off the bench; McSorley played 25 minutes off the bench and will start for City2. Pretty much a standard lineup for City2.

City2 lineup for its playoff opener: Olivares; Pearce, Mikina, Orozco, Cilley; Perez, Antwi, McSorley, Wan Kuzain, Kidd; Jaaskelainen. Bench: Welsh, Chavez, Carlock, Cornelius, Jundt, Demitra, Armstrong, Joyner, Glover.

Miguel Perez has shown big progress with City2 as club begins Next Pro playoffs on Sunday Miguel Perez, who debuted with St. Louis City SC at 17 in 2023 but hasn't played there since, has made big steps as a center midfielder this season with City2

It's been two years since Miguel Perez played for City SC, but he's made big strides this season with City2 www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

SLU women's soccer fell behind Rhode Island 1-0 early and then scored the next four for a 4-1 win, which should get them 2nd in the A-10

Expansion San Diego already had more wins and points than City SC did in its first season, but it looked like San Diego wasn't going to win the Western Conference. Then Vancouver lost at home on Decision Day and San Diego won to take the conference. Oh, and Kansas City finished last in the West

You could see frustration on Burki's face during the game Saturday, but it wasn't about his decision to re-sign with the team. He's seen the team's future plans, and he approves www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

St. Louis City SC uses late goal from Klauss to close season with 2-2 tie with Real Salt Lake St. Louis City SC's 2025 season came to a close with a 2-2 tie with Real Salt Lake that needed an 88th minute goal from Klauss to pull out

It was an exciting season finale for City SC - also a wet one - but like the season as a whole, unfulfilling. The final gamer, with reaction from Critchley, Burki, Lowen www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...