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City SC begins its fourth season Saturday afternoon against Charlotte FC at Energizer Park with a new coach, a new sporting director, and, sadly, without its all-time leading scorer Joao Klauss, who was traded last January to the LA Galaxy to provide financial flexibility and roster restructuring for the club as his contract was expiring.

This will be coach Yoann Damet, who was hired as head coach during the offseason, and new sporting director Corey Wray, and the goal for 2026 is to get the team back to its winning ways, as it did in its first season in 2023. After winning the Western Conference in the team’s first year and qualifying for the playoffs, City SC had disappointing seasons in 2024 and 2025 and fired two head coaches. Two interim leaders also did not remain in the role.

Damet and Wray want to make a complete change, but it won’t be a quick fix as they begin this season with new players on the roster. While City SC is without fan-favorite Joao Klauss, City SC is close to acquiring Venezuelan striker Sergio Cordova on a loan from a Swiss team, but it will have to start the season without him. Fifth-year pro Simon Becher, out of Saint Louis University, will be asked to step in place for Klauss, who in big moments score goal for City SC in crucial moments during his time with the Club. The team also added Dante Polvara on a permanent transfer from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen F.C. Polvara will be signed through 2027-2028 with a club option for the 2028-2029 season.

“We’re excited to bring Dante to St. Louis and believe he will add quality and competition to our group,” said Sporting Director Corey Wray. “He is a versatile player who can impact games in both defense and midfield, and at 6-foot-4, he brings an imposing physical presence while still being technically clean on the ball. He’s still young but has gained valuable experience from Scotland and European competition, which will help him contribute right away.”

For Coach Damet, he wants City SC to play a style to take more control of the ball and be more direct in their attack. Fans are going to want a quick turnaround, but Damet tempered expectations and is focused on long-term growth.

I want to focus on the performance,” Damet said. “If we can perform up to the level of our standards and our expectations in terms of how we want to play, that’s what we can control.”

The last 5 games of the 2025 season saw the team improve 3-0-2, scoring 20 goals in its final 10 games. Saturday’s game will be City’s second home opener against Charlotte. In 2023, the historic run began with a 3-1 win on goals by Klauss and Eduard Lowen. City SC hopes to repeat that same feat as they begin the 2026 season opener at 1:30 PM Saturday.