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ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC coach Bradley Carnell does not like the word “desperation.â€�

The term urgency doesn’t really fit the bill either.

Carnell said he realizes his team is slowly beginning to run out of time in an effort to salvage what has been a disappointing season to date.

“It’s time to prove who we are,� he said.

A golden opportunity is at hand this week as City SC plays a pair of Major League Soccer matches in front of its maniacal fans at CityPark.

City SC (3-5-9, 18 points) will look to snap a franchise-worst six-match winless streak when it hosts Western Conference rival Colorado (7-7-4, 25 points) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Then at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, City SC plays host to Atlanta (4-8-5, 17 points).

Both matches are important in an effort to get the group back on track.

“I think every home game should be a win,� City SC defender Anthony Markanich said. “These next two games are very important.�

City SC has struggled over the first half of the 34-game season after stunning the MLS world with a record-setting, conference-winning 17-12-5 mark in its initial season last year.

But points in the standings are starting to become even more precious. City SC begins the second half of its campaign outside a top-nine position needed to qualify for the postseason.

“We’ve improved a lot of things in our game model,� Carnell said. “It’s keen on the eye, but what has it actually done for us? We just have to keep getting back to who we are and what we stand for and get those points on the board.�

City SC had been crushed by the injury bug. Flashy midfielder Celio Pompeu suffered a season-ending fibula fracture and ankle dislocation early in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Dallas. Defender Joakim Nilsson also hurt his hamstring before the halftime break of that game and likely won’t be available for these two games.

In late May, midfielder Tomas Ostrak suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

Perhaps some depth could be integrated from its City2 squad of MLS Next Pro. City2 leads that loop with a 9-2-2 mark following a 1-0 win over Houston on Sunday.

Carnell feels his team has the ability to start to turn this season around in the next week. He also believes that the standards set by last year’s group may be hard to duplicate.

“While we graded ourselves, 18 points by far is sub-standard, sub-par (from) what we believe in in our short history,� Carnell said. “We only have us to compare with from one year ago. We’re judging us on us, which is a pretty hard thing to do right now.�

Carnell said that, on paper, this team might be lagging behind last season’s unit, but he feels it is not fair to compare the two campaigns just yet.

“We’ve seen so many nice things year, just without the reward,� Carnell said.

City SC will have to begin its turnaround without defender Tim Parker, who is sitting out Wednesday’s match for yellow card accumulation after being booked in the 34th minute Saturday.

Carnell indicated that there might be a few new faces on the pitch over the next couple of matches.

City SC must kick its offense into gear if it is to make a move in the Western Conference standings. It has not scored a goal over 202 minutes covering two-plus contests. The last tally was actually an own goal put in by Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez in the 68th minute of a 3-3 tie on June 1.

The last time a City SC player scored came 229 minutes ago when Indiana Vassilev converted late in the first half of the Miami contest.

“Of course it’s frustrating,� City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen said. “It feels like we are creating chances. Scoring, at the end of the day, we have to blame ourselves for not doing that.�

Jackson traded to Columbus

Aziel Jackson’s trade from City SC to reigning Major League Soccer champion Columbus was completed Tuesday in a deal that could net $900,000 for City SC.

A 22-year-old midfielder, Jackson has played in 16 of City SC’s 17 MLS games this season including eight starts. He has come off the bench in the seven of his last eight appearances.

The trade was reported by several outlets Monday but was unconfirmed by either team until Tuesday.

“We want to thank AZ for his time and contribution to our team as he played a key part in our successful inaugural season,� City SC sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said in a news release. “This is a mutually beneficial trade that provides us flexibility to potentially strengthen the roster in the summer, while giving AZ a fresh start in Columbus.�

Jackson, a native of New York, scored one goal and had four assists during City SC’s debut season in 2023. He has not hit the scoresheet in 2024 and played in 41 games for City SC over two seasons.

In return for Jackson, City SC will receive $325,000 in general allocation money (GAM) that can be used for the 2024 roster and $325,000 in GAM that can be used in 2025.

Also, City SC could be in line for another $250,000 in GAM if Jackson hits performance-based incentives.

General allocation money can be used in a number of ways to help a team stay in salary cap compliance.

Jackson won’t be available to play for Columbus until the summer transfer window opens July 18.

Here’s Johnny

Defender John Klein was called up from City2 prior to Saturday’s match. He entered the contest in the 77th minute.

“I felt comfortable out there,â€� said Klein, who played at ºüÀêÊÓƵ University and went to Rock Bridge High in Columbia, Missouri. “It shows that the work I’m putting in is not going unnoticed.â€�

Klein had four goals and two assists in 13 matches with City2.

“Just being around this group all week, it’s right there, at any moment things are going to flip for them,� Klein said. “However I can be a part of that, I’m happy.�

Good buddies

Carnell and Colorado coach Chris Armas worked together on the New York Red Bulls staff from 2017 to 2020.

Armas is in his first season as the Rapids top bench boss after coaching in the English Premier League as an assistant with Manchester United and Leeds United.

“On one hand, I’m really happy for him,� Carnell said. “But that happiness stops right about Wednesday at 7:30.�

Colorado beat Austin FC 2-0 on Saturday night at home. Rafael Navarro tallied his team-best 10th goal. Cole Bassett also scored.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen, in his first season with the Rapids, posted his fourth clean sheet of the season. Steffen returned to MLS this season after playing in Europe from 2019 to 2023, heading overseas on a transfer to Manchester City from the Columbus Crew.

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Aziel Jackson's trade from ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC to reigning Major League Soccer champion Columbus was completed Tuesday in a deal that could net $900,000 for City SC.

A 22-year-old midfielder, Jackson has played in 16 of City SC's 17 MLS games this season including eight starts. He has come off the bench in the seven of his last eight appearances.

The trade was reported by several outlets Monday but was unconfirmed by either team until Tuesday.

“We want to thank AZ for his time and contribution to our team as he played a key part in our successful inaugural season,� City SC sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said in a news release. “This is a mutually beneficial trade that provides us flexibility to potentially strengthen the roster in the summer, while giving AZ a fresh start in Columbus.�

Jackson, a native of New York, scored one goal and had four assists during City SC's debut season in 2023. He has not hit the scoresheet in 2024 and played in 41 games for City SC over two seasons.

In return for Jackson, City SC will receive $325,000 in general allocation money (GAM) that can be used for the 2024 roster and $325,000 in GAM that can be used in 2025.

Also, City SC could be in line for another $250,000 in GAM if Jackson hits performance-based incentives.

General allocation money can be used in a number of ways to help a team stay in salary cap compliance.

Jackson won't be available to play for Columbus until the summer transfer window opens July 18.

Winless in six consecutive games, City SC (3-4-9, 18 points) opens a two-game homestand at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday by playing host to Colorado (7-7-4, 25 points) at CityPark. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Atlanta (4-8-5, 17 points) visits City SC.

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Celio Pompeu has played his last match this season for ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC because of an injury he suffered in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at FC Dallas, and Aziel Jackson appears to be leaving City SC altogether.

Multiple sources are reporting Jackson, a 22-year-old midfielder, is being sold to the Columbus Crew. City SC coach Bradley Carnell would not confirm the reports about Jackson’s status Monday afternoon.

“There’s a lot of chatter online about a lot of things,� Carnell said. “We’ll just have to move along and see how things go.�

Jackson, a native of New York, showed plenty of potential with one goal and four assists last season.

He started the team’s first seven Major League Soccer matches this season but has only started once since for City SC (3-5-9, 18 points). He has yet to hit the scoresheet in 2024.

Known for his speed, Jackson came on in the 77th minute of a 2-0 loss Saturday at FC Dallas. He played 20 minutes in a 0-0 tie with Portland on June 8.

Jackson scored his lone goal in a win over Toronto on July 8, 2023.

“No official news as of yet,� Carnell said.

City SC is reported to be receiving $650,000 in guaranteed general allocation money in return for Jackson.

Pompeu’s absence looked imminent when he was injured Saturday night in Texas, and it was confirmed Monday by the team that the 24-year-old midfielder suffered a fibula fracture and ankle dislocation.

He underwent successful surgery over the weekend at a hospital in the Dallas area and was reported by the team Monday to be facing a rehabilitation of at least nine months.

Pompeu has three goals and three assists this season.

City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen on Saturday called Pompeu’s injury, “the darkest part of the game.�

Carnell and his players are eager to have the popular Pompeu return to ºüÀêÊÓƵ, even if he can’t get on the field.

“He always brings a smile to us in our environment,� Carnell said. “And now it’s time for payback and give him the smiles and the energy he needs right now.�

A native of Fortaleza, Brazil, Pompeu started 15 of City’s 17 MLS matches this year.

Pompeu’s injury seemed slow the early momentum City SC had built in Saturday’s loss, which pushed City SC’s winless streak to six games.

“It’s a tough moment,� Carnell said. “We’ll help him get through this.�

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Bradley Carnell did not have to look at the replay Saturday night.

The City SC coach was well aware the injury to talented midfielder Celio Pompeu was serious.

Pompeu went down in a hard collision with FC Dallas defender Nkosi Tafari in the 13th minute of the teams’ match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

“We have a game where it gets kind of sidetracked with Celio’s horrific injury,� Carnell said. “Not sure of the exact details. It didn’t look good at the first visual.�

Pompeu did not return to ºüÀêÊÓƵ with the team and remained in a Dallas-area hospital overnight.

City SC got off to a solid start, but the match went south soon after the eight-minute delay as Pompeu was stretchered off the field with what looked like a bad leg injury.

FC Dallas used a penalty-kick goal by Jesus Ferreira in the 28th minute to go in front on the way to a 2-0 win. It was the third goal of the season for Ferreira, who played on the U.S. World Cup team in 2022.

City SC (3-5-9) is winless in its past six matches, the longest skid in the short history of the franchise. Its last win was a 3-1 triumph over Chicago on May 11.

FC Dallas (4-8-5) snapped a five-match MLS winless streak in its first game under interim coach Peter Luccin. Nico Estevez was fired on Monday, June 10, after leading FC Dallas since the start of the 2022 season.

Pompeu, who had three goals over his first 16 matches, helped City SC get off to a solid start. Then things started to go downhill after he left the pitch.

“Seeing Celio’s injury was the darkest part of the game,� City SC forward Eduard Lowen said. “It looked so bad.�

Pompeu was not the only City SC starter to do down. Joakim Nilsson left in the 36th minute because of an apparent hamstring injury. Nilsson was replaced by Josh Yaro on the back line.

Despite the bad luck on the injury front, City SC outplayed FC Dallas for long stretches. It outshot the hosts 22-10 and fired eight shots on goal at FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who recorded his fourth shutout of the season.

For the second consecutive match and fifth time in 11 games, City SC was shut out. It tied 0-0 in its last contest June 8 against Portland despite 15 shots in that match.

“The team still did a good job,� Lowen said. “It’s frustrating that we fly out of Dallas without any points.�

Ferreira blasted his penalty kick to the right of goalkeeper Roman Burki, who guessed wrong and dived to his left.

Nilsson was whistled for a foul on Paul Arriola in the box to necessitate the PK.

“At the end the day, we lost the game because we didn’t use the chances we had,� Lowen said.

That has become a familiar theme for City SC. It has recorded 37 shots, 12 on goal, over the past two matches without a tally.

“The thing is we have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves,� Carnell said. “We have to be critical in our evaluation. We have to share when it’s not good enough.�

Tafari put the match away for FC Dallas by scoring on a header off a corner kick from Sebastian Lletget in the 81st minute.

City SC came out strong in the opening minutes of the contest, dictating pace and possession until the Pompeu injury.

Still, City SC regained its offensive form late in the opening half and created numerous chances in the second half as well. Lowen had six shots, and Klauss added five.

City SC’s best chance may have come late in the first half when Akil Watts put a perfect cross on the head of Nokkvi Thorisson, who replaced Pompeu. Paes made a save on the blast.

“We dominated in a lot of areas,� Carnell said. “The more problems that come your way, you either have a belief system or you drift away. It’s our job to make sure that we’re all connected and we share a common belief.�

At the midway point of its season, City SC has 18 points and sits 11th, three points out of playoff position in the Western Conference. The top nine teams in each conference advance to the postseason.

City SC will try and right the ship with a couple of home matches this week. It faces Colorado (7-7-4, 25 points) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Atlanta (4-8-5, 17 points) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

City SC defender Tim Parker picked up a yellow card in the 35th minute and will miss the next match because of yellow card accumulation.

Oh, Canada

City SC defender Kyle Hiebert was not available after he was selected to play for Canada in the Copa America tournament, which begins next week. He was on Canada’s roster for a pair of friendlies and played a few minutes late to help Canada close a 0-0 tie last week at France.

The Winnipeg, Ontario, native learned early Saturday he made his country’s final 26-player roster. He was one of 13 MLS players called up to the Canadian squad by new coach Jesse Marsch.

Hiebert has started six matches for City SC this season. He will miss at least four SC matches, maybe more depending on how long Canada remains in the tournament.

Canada will play Argentina in the tournament opener at 7 p.m. Thursday in Atlanta.

Copa America matches will take place in 14 stadiums in 13 cities across the United States. It will conclude July 14 with the final in Miami.

Moving on up

City SC has signed midfielder John Klein on a short-term loan agreement from its City2 squad. He came into Saturday’s contest in the 77th minute.

Klein, who played at ºüÀêÊÓƵ University from 2018 to 2022, has four goals and two assists in 12 matches for City2, which plays in the MLS Next Pro loop.

“When I came on, I just wanted to create something,� said Klein, who graduated from Rock Bridge High in Columbia, Missouri. “But when the result goes this way, it’s a little disappointing.�

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