St. Louis end losing run with upset comeback win over Portland | OneFootball

Homefield heroics were the order of the day for Western Conference strugglers St. Louis City after securing a 2-1 come-from-behind win against the visiting Portland Timbers.

Scorers: Hartel 54', 67'; Da Costa 19'

St. Louis were close to opening the scoring just before the 6th minute mark when Tomas Totland was put through on goal with a ball over the top, only for the Norwegian full-back to be brilliantly denied by Portland's Maxime Crepeau.

But that spirited opening push for a first goal was scuppered in the 19th minute when David Da Costa slotted a perfectly-placed effort into the bottom corner beyond an outstretched Roman Bürki from outside the box to bag his fourth goal of the 2025 MLS season and second goal in as many games.

A top-class save from Bürki with a strong hand at his near post to deny Da Costa a first-half brace kept Portland from doubling their advantage before the break, with the Swiss shot-stopper showing why he remains one of the best the league has to offer.

Just minutes after the restart, it would be Bürki who, once again, denied Portland a second on the night when he blitzed off his line while standing tall to turn away a close-range effort from Da Costa after he was slipped into the box by Santiago Moreno.

Bürki's key saves would finally be repaid in the 54th minute when Marcel Hartel blasted an effort past Crepeau into the roof of the net at the near post from six yards out to pull the home side level at Energizer Park.

St. Louis would complete the turnaround on the night 13-minutes later when Hartel headed home at the back post from a Conrad Wallem cross while sealing his brace on the night to book all three points for David Critchley's outfit.

📸 Editorial Photo Credit: © Scott Rovak | 2025 Jul 13 - Imagn Images