Lutz Pfannenstiel has heard way too many excuses.
The St. Louis City SC sporting director says now is the time for action, not talk.
Pfannenstiel took what he felt was a step in the right direction by dismissing coach Bradley Carnell on Monday.
“It’s not like we just have to sit down and cry and wipe our tears and be upset,” Pfannenstiel said. “We need to look forward. We need to win. We need to pick up as many points as possible.”
City SC (3-7-10) will take the first step in that direction at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when its hosts San Jose (3-15-2) in an MLS Western Conference match at City Park.
Technical director John Hackworth will take over the coaching reins on an interim basis.
Carnell was let go after an eye-popping initial season. He guided City SC to the Western Conference regular-season title as a first-year franchise with a 17-12-5 mark. Although it flamed out in the first round of the playoffs, Carnell finished second in MLS coach of the year voting.
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But as good as last season was, this year has been equally disappointing.
City SC is winless in its past nine matches (0-6-3), and its last victory was a 3-1 triumph over Chicago Fire FC on May 11.
The team sat at 3-1-7 with 16 points after the win over Chicago.
Since then, City SC has managed a 0-6-3 mark. It has grabbed just three of a possible 27 points during the winless skid.
“I believe we left many points lying there,” Pfannenstiel said. “There were lots of tie games. If you draw a game, it can go either way,.
Injuries have plagued the squad. More than eight potential opening day starters have missed significant time including midfield Tomas Ostrik, who suffered a season-ending injury in pre-season training and sniper Celio Pompeu, who had a season-ending leg injury on June 15 in Dallas.
City SC’s leading scorer, Klauss, is out with a MCL injury and is expected to miss at least the next six weeks.
The clock is ticking on the team’s chances to reach the playoffs, which is why Pfannenstiel made the move at this time.
City SC is hoping to bring in some fresh blood from the transfer window, which runs from July 18-Aug. 14. During that period, teams can request an International Transfer Certificate of a player under contract in another country.
But for the immediate future, City SC needs to pick up as many points as possible. A turnaround is definitely possible. San Jose sports the worst record in the league. Upcoming matches against Colorado, Vancouver, Seattle and Sporting Kansas City will be crucial. Only Colorado (9-8-4) has a winning record.
That about-face can begin Wednesday.
San Jose has lost five matches in a row by a combined 20-6 and is winless in its past eight contests.
Hartel to the rescue
City SC has signed former FC St. Pauli midfielder Marcel Hartel to a contract that will run through 2028.
The 28-year-old Hartel is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He had 17 goals and 13 assists in helping FC St. Pauli gain promotion to Germany’s Bundesliga first division for the first time since 2010-11.
Hartel tallied 59 goals in his three seasons with FC St. Pauli.
He will become available on July 18, the first day of the MLS summer transfer window.
Hackworth takes charge
The 54-year-old Hackworth has coached at various levels for 30 years, including a stint as Carnell’s assistant last year.
He also coached the U.S. men’s U-17 team from 2015 to 2018.
Hackworth has MLS experience as coach of the Philadelphia Union from 2012 to 2015.
Roman Burki honored
City SC goalkeeper Roman Burki has been selected to the MLS All-Star Game, which will be played July 24 in Columbus.
The MLS All-Stars will take on the best from LIGA MX.
This is the second All-Star selection for the 33-year Burki, who has five clean sheets in 19 starts this season.