Tom Timmermann and Carter Chapley discuss the first pothole of the season for ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC, a 1-3-1 month of April, capped by a 2-1 loss at home that had the team engaging in some reflective moments.
If ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC’s game on Saturday against Portland had ended differently, with a 1-1 tie instead of the 2-1 loss for City SC like it ultimately did, the enduring image of the game would likely have been the look of ecstasy on the face of forward after he scored the tying goal.
But Portland scored to retake the lead three minutes later, and when the game was over and City SC had lost, even Pompeu had trouble smiling.
“It’s like a mix of emotions,†he said. “I’m very happy that I scored. I was excited. But then like, some minutes later, they score, so I’m happy but at the same moment like I’m sad because I at least tie the game. I’m happy and sad at the same time. ... At the end of the day, the goal was nothing. We got zero points. It’s good for myself individually, but we stayed on the same points, 19. We didn’t move. I’d rather win the game and have zero goals.â€
All of last week was a breakout period for Pompeu.
In the U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday, Pompeu had three assists and created a fourth goal when his cross was deflected into the goal by a Union Omaha player. Then he got his first MLS goal on Saturday, which Pompeu feels was a direct result of the confidence he got from the Open Cup game, the first time he had gone 90 minutes in a game this season.
“On Tuesday, to play 90 minutes, I feel much better,†he said. “I know I can work hard the whole 90 minutes. My numbers were good, I ran almost 13 kilometers (8 miles) Tuesday, so I came to the Portland game, if coach gives me more minutes, I’m going to give everything again. I try to bring my energy and passion to the other players, show my energy for the guys so they can feel it, too. And it was so good to score, ‘I deserve to be here.’ Now, I just want to play more and more and more, so now, I give a headache to the coach and the coaches decide because I trust them. My goal is to be ready and be reliable when they need me. Anywhere, I’ll be there. And I hope to score more goals, more assists. It’s just the beginning for me.â€
“That’s almost a philosophy goal for us,†coach Bradley Carnell said. “It was a really good goal. We needed more of those moments.â€
Klauss injury update
The initial prognosis on Klauss was that he would be out for 10-14 days. Tuesday was Day 9 with no Klauss on the field, and while a return this Saturday seems unlikely, the striker could be back soon.
“Close,†Carnell said Tuesday. “I think he’s close. He feels really good. He’s getting a bit frustrated that we need to get him out on the field. We have to support the medical staff, we need to support him as well. We need to find the balance because losing Klauss for one or two games is better than losing Klauss for four or five or eight games. So that’s important for us.â€
Even closer may be midfielder Njabulo Blom, who was expected to miss five to six weeks with a groin injury. He’s missed three MLS games (plus the U.S. Open Cup game) but could be back soon. He, along with Klauss and Joakim Nilsson, worked out separately from the team but Blom came over to watch the end of practice.
The Dallas game Saturday starts another stretch of three games in eight days for the team, though all three of them are on the road this time. And City SC plays Chicago twice, first on Tuesday in the U.S. Open Cup, then on Saturday in a league match.
“We’re thinking maybe the second Chicago game for Klauss and Blom,†Carnell said. “Maybe Blom’s even earlier than that. I don’t want to put it for sure.â€
That would mean Blom could play in the Open Cup match on Tuesday.
Jake Nerwinski and Rasmus Alm were not on the field for practice on Tuesday. For Alm, it was a maintenance day for his hip flexors. Nerwinski got a contusion on his foot on Saturday, and there was some swelling. Carnell thinks the swelling will be down in time for Nerwinski to play Saturday.
Nerwinski was walking gingerly at one point in the game and was subbed out in the 83rd minute for Akil Watts, though Carnell said that was as much for tactics.
Jordan Opp
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski, center, gives fans a thumbs up while warming up before the start of ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC's first home game of their inaugural season against Charlotte FC on Saturday, March 4, 2023, outside of CityPark. Photo by Jordan Opp, jopp@post-dispatch.com
San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) and ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) fight for possession of the ball during a game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. ºüÀêÊÓƵ defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) reacts after being called for a foul during a game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. ºüÀêÊÓƵ defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) controls the ball during the second half of ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC's first home game of their inaugural season against Charlotte FC on Saturday, March 4, 2023, outside of CityPark. Photo by Jordan Opp, jopp@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) sits on the ground after being fouled by San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) during a game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. ºüÀêÊÓƵ defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Jake Nerwinski (2) dribbles into the corner with pressure Austin FC defender Jon Gallagher (17) during the second half of a MLS game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and Austin FC on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC forward João Klauss (9) lies on the goal celebrating his game-winning goal as teamates Jake Nerwinski (2), left, and midfielder Njabulo Blom (6), right, join the party during the second half of a MLS game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and Austin FC on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen and defender Jake Nerwinski run drills on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, on the first day of the preseason training camp at the team's training facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ, Mo. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defenders Tim Parker, right, and Jake Nerwinski run warmup sprints on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, for the first day of the preseason training camp at the team's training facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ.Â
Jake Nerwinski: A look at the ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender
Here is a look at Jake Nerwinski, the ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender. His hometown is Lawrenceville, New Jersey.Â
Jordan Opp
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski, center, gives fans a thumbs up while warming up before the start of ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC's first home game of their inaugural season against Charlotte FC on Saturday, March 4, 2023, outside of CityPark. Photo by Jordan Opp, jopp@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) and ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) fight for possession of the ball during a game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. ºüÀêÊÓƵ defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) reacts after being called for a foul during a game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. ºüÀêÊÓƵ defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Jordan Opp
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) controls the ball during the second half of ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC's first home game of their inaugural season against Charlotte FC on Saturday, March 4, 2023, outside of CityPark. Photo by Jordan Opp, jopp@post-dispatch.com
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Jake Nerwinski (2) sits on the ground after being fouled by San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) during a game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. ºüÀêÊÓƵ defeated San Jose 3-0. Photo by Michael Clubb, mclubb@post-dispatch.com
Laurie Skrivan
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Jake Nerwinski (2) dribbles into the corner with pressure Austin FC defender Jon Gallagher (17) during the second half of a MLS game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and Austin FC on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Laurie Skrivan
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC forward João Klauss (9) lies on the goal celebrating his game-winning goal as teamates Jake Nerwinski (2), left, and midfielder Njabulo Blom (6), right, join the party during the second half of a MLS game between ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC and Austin FC on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen and defender Jake Nerwinski run drills on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, on the first day of the preseason training camp at the team's training facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ, Mo. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defenders Tim Parker, right, and Jake Nerwinski run warmup sprints on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, for the first day of the preseason training camp at the team's training facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ.Â
“We just needed to spark an impulse, spark something,†he said.
Joining the team on practice for the first time in a long time was Caden Glover, the 16-year-old Homegrown forward. He played 83 minutes for City2 on Sunday.
“I thought he played really well,†Carnell said. “He got extended minutes with a day to regenerate and be part of the group today. ... We’re happy to get Caden some minutes with us, training minutes, especially when we’re missing some guys.â€
City SC notes
The league fined Portland defender an undisclosed sum for simulation-embellishment for his overly dramatic fall in the 87th minute on Saturday, after a shove by City SC’s Tomás Ostrák. No foul was called on the play. ... City2 got its first win of the season Sunday, beating Vancouver 2-1 on a goal by Sergio Rivas, who redirected in a free kick from Max Schneider in the 84th minute. City2 is 1-3-2 with an extra point for a shootout win in one of the tie games. “It was good to see the principles on display, the triggers,†Carnell said. “It was fun to watch. It was awesome.â€
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City's Tomas Ostrak (7) runs the ball as Portland Timbers' Evander (20) gives chase during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 29, 2023, in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)