Matt Baker
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mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Matt Baker
@mattbakerstl.bsky.social
Girl dad | #AllForCITY Founder/Supporter | Contributor: 550 KTRS | Louligan | Soccer & STL | Mizzou | Chiefs

Host of @FlyoverFooty.bsky.social:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flyover-footy-a-st-louis-city-sc-and-soccer-in-stl-podcast/id1529481082
The 2nd @stlcitysc.com preseason match is today vs the Tampa Bay Rowdies in USL-C.

The outcome isn't what matters in this one - but there are a few things I'm going to be watching for w/the club updates:

1. Who gets at least 45 minutes
2. Any notable absences #AllForCITY
January 28, 2026 at 2:34 PM
St. Louis CITY SC have signed Brazilian left back Rafael Santos through June 2027 w/club options for the 27-28 and 28-29 seasons. Santos was out of contract, having previously played for Colorado and Orlando City before that. #AllForCITY
January 27, 2026 at 8:07 PM
The phrase "transfer windows" has been picked up on a bit w/Wray's comments on the Klauss move/reinvesting the $2.375m in cash we received. It's a good reminder but also not new news

Wray was direct in Dec about this being a consistent squad overhaul occurring over the next 6-12 months. #AllForCITY
January 27, 2026 at 7:51 PM
The busy week we expected for @stlcitysc.com continues with a new arrival impending after the biggest outgoing news in club history.

Recent reports indicate this is likely one of Mbacke Fall (CB), Dante Polvara (CM) or Rafael Santos (LB). #AllForCITY
January 27, 2026 at 7:19 PM
There is an immediate hole in the @stlcitysc.com lineup without Klauss. That has to be addressed. How and when are the questions that remain unanswered for now. But what do we know? #AllForCITY 🧵
January 27, 2026 at 5:23 PM
It's official. Klauss has been transferred from @stlcitysc.com to LA Galaxy for $2.375m in a cash for trade and becomes the largest outgoing cash transfer in CITY history. Klauss leaves St. Louis as their all time leading goal scorer with 27g/6a over 3 years in 85 total appearances. #AllForCITY 🧵
January 27, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Exciting news for Bohfs in St. Louis as their 1st round US Open Cup match will be on Paramount+ & @cbssportsgolazo-m.bsky.social on March 18 as they play Union Omaha from USL League One.
www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026...
2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Kicks Off with 32-Game First Round Pitting Amateur vs. Pro Clubs
Matchups and Broadcast Details Confirmed for First Round That Will See 32 Division II and III Professional Teams Play Against 32 Amateur Clubs from Open Division; 111th Edition of Historic Tournament ...
www.ussoccer.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Extremely interested to see how this plays out. Competition is usually great, so USL pushing this should be good for all professional soccer in the US.

My main concern is putting the cart before the horse re: USL players' concerns re: CBA, accommodations, pay, treatment, etc.
Officially Official (like you didn't know already).

The #USL has announced USL Premier as the official name of its Division One men’s professional league and unveiled a new structure for its men’s pathway.

www.uslsoccer.com/news_article...
United Soccer League Announces USL Premier, New Interconnected Men’s Professional Structure
USL outlines three-division framework ahead of promotion and relegation
www.uslsoccer.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:12 PM
- Klauss being sold
- Mbacke Fall (CB) signing
- Dante Polvara (CM) signing
- Rafael Santos (LB) signing

Remembering the time in Dec when many were desperate for @stlcitysc.com moves to be made. Now the last week of Jan, the firehose is open & we're waiting on 4 official announcements. #AllForCITY
January 26, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Getting closer to reality #AllForCITY fans. Get ready for a likely official announcement early this coming week.
🇧🇷🟡 Sources: LA Galaxy is now finalizing a deal to sign forward Joao Klauss from St. Louis City.

Cash trade around $2 million. Believe he will be a DP.

Klauss, 28, has 27 goals in three years with St. Louis.
January 25, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Alright #AllForCITY, it's been a weekend of reports at breakneck speed. What would we think of this depth chart?

Notes:
- Includes Santos, Mbacke & Polvara - all reportedly finalizing deals w/ @stlcitysc.com.
January 25, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Alex Pretti. There has to be an objective reality here. This man was murdered by federal agents. ICE. For holding a camera as they terrorize a community. There’s no justification and there’s video plain to see. Our government is lying about it hoping people blindly believe them.
January 25, 2026 at 6:06 AM
Rafael Santos soon to be #AllForCITY? STL continues to bolster their backline.

Corey Wray had told me 1 area the club needed to improve in was the backline. And we knew the club had no true left backs going into 2026. After Wallem & now w/Santos, the left side backline depth becomes much clearer.
🇧🇷 Sources: St. Louis City is finalizing a deal to sign left back Rafael Santos.

Santos, 27, ended last season with the Colorado Rapids. Spent several seasons with Orlando City. Has made 82 regular season appearances between the two clubs.
January 24, 2026 at 11:06 PM
And the 1st goal of the 2026 @stlcitysc.com preseason goes to Célio Pompeu!

Interested to see this video as it sounds like a high press turnover might’ve caused this. #AllForCITY
68’ | GOAL!! Célio picked up a loose ball to breakaway for a one-on-one with the keeper. 👏

1-3 | #STLvRBNY | #AllForCITY
January 24, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Non-noteworthy things about our 2 @stlcitysc.com XIs: absences of Cedi and Tots. Both returned to training just this week.

Noteworthy absences in the XIs: Klauss for obvious transfer related reasons and Caden Glover. #AllForCITY (1/2)
January 24, 2026 at 5:11 PM
And the 2nd guess of preseason is a 3-4-1-2 of sorts:

- Forwards: McSorley & likely Ault (trialist)
- Midfield: Pompeu, Durkin, Forcellini, Pearce, Hartel
- Defenders: Hiebert, Yaro, Trialist (one of MacNaughton or the newer one, whoever didn’t start the 1H)
- GK: Bürki
#AllForCITY
46' | New XI for the 2nd half ⤵️

Bürki
Durkin
Forcellini
Hartel
Hiebert
McSorley
Pearce
Pompeu
Yaro
Trialist
Trialist

#STLvRBNY x #AllForCITY
January 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The 1st XI - Let the speculation begin!

Remember Damet has said this isn’t a 1st XI/2nd XI situation. It’s mixing and matching, working on everyone getting fit, likely 2 groups for 45 min and working on individual positional profiles. #AllForCITY

That said, let’s have some fun:
Our first preseason XI 🌴

#STLvRBNY x #AllForCITY
January 24, 2026 at 3:59 PM
New faces signed to CITY2 this season: Patrick McDonald, CDM and Riley Lynch, FW. #AllForCITY
January 23, 2026 at 4:43 PM
I've seen some discussion on how expensive Klauss would be for the LA Galaxy and to #AllForCITY, a $2m fee for likely one year does seem high.

But for perspective: per Transfermarkt dating back to 2020, Klauss would only be the 9th highest paid fee by the Galaxy.
January 23, 2026 at 3:20 PM
We knew the wheels would continuously be in motion as Corey Wray evolves our roster but the reports that emerged this week shook the @stlcitysc.com fanbase.

@StuartHultgren and I hit all the angles while covering this one w/the care that an OG like Klauss deserves. #AllForCITY
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨

Klauss potentially leaving @stlcitysc.com drives a huge chunk of this one - no stone unturned. We have preseason injury & camp updates, Wallem, Edelman, Löwen, Durkin, the roster & more… but this is a Klauss heavy show. #AllForCITY
🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...
January 23, 2026 at 2:10 PM
The post-Klauss report @flyoverfooty.bsky.social is in the books! No stone unturned. Plus a ton more on all things @stlcitysc.com & so thankful for everyone that tuned in!

Pod out in the AM and remember after every move & report you hear, "we'll see". #AllForCITY
January 23, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Head Coach Yoann Damet spoke with media today and gave numerous updates on @stlcitysc.com's preseason:

- Klauss is in camp training w/the team and Damet had no other comments on the reports

- Fallou Fall & Tomas Ostrák are shut down for the preseason #AllForCITY 🧵
January 22, 2026 at 7:21 PM
🚨BREAKING🚨

Fallou Fall and Tomas Ostrák have been shut down and are not expected to see much, if any time in preseason.

@stlcitysc.com Head Coach Yoann Damet said both are dealing with leg injuries but are still in camp w/the team. #AllForCITY
January 22, 2026 at 7:11 PM
A few of the updates to the MLS roster rules open up flexibility for how Corey Wray might build out the @stlcitysc.com roster ahead of the season:

- No limit on # of cash for trades (was 2 in/2 out)
- No age limit or limit on number of intraleague loans (was 24 or under & 28 or under for GK)
(1/2)
January 22, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Key #MLS dates and Info for 2026 have been released Some of the most important being:

- Primary (Winter) Transfer Window Dates are 1/26-3/26
- Secondary (Summer) Transfer Dates now extended to better align with Europe and are 7/13-9/2
www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-l...
Major League Soccer Announces Updated 2026 Transfer Window Dates | MLSSoccer.com
Summer window will now extend into September, helping clubs add talented players in their run to the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs MLS announces several amendments to the 2026 Roster Rules and Regulation...
www.mlssoccer.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:20 PM