CITY SC Report

MLS Goal of Matchday poll that includes a @stlCITYsc player, you say? #AllForCITY fanbase activated.

Rafael Navarro was introduced as the newest @stlCITYsc DP9. Some notes, as he spoke through a translator: - "Hafa" is a good pronunciation of his first name w/a hard R on Navarro being ok. - He trained today. He's fit. He's ready to play, can play now and is excited to play. But deferred to Yoann Damet for specifics including his position. He said he can play the 9 or a false 9. - He noted it's wonderful to be here, very happy and hopes to contribute inside the game and help the club. Very anxious and very excited to be here as part of the team. - On feeling welcome: The energy of the fans makes him feel very welcome. How the team plays & the staff treats him makes him feel welcome. He felt this was his best option (regarding staying or leaving MLS) - Listed Neymar is his player he liked to watch. #AllForCITY

Absolutely egregious no call on the handball late in #STLvDAL. Horrendous mistake on the field. #AllForCITY

Now official: Marcel Hartel has completed his transfer from @stlCITYsc to @Hannover96. Hartel logged 24g/13a over 2 years and 67 all competition matches for CITY SC, leaving as their 2nd all time leading goal scorer (to Klauss) and 2nd all time in goal contributions (to Löwen). The reported transfer fee is below €1m but the club in both their statement and Yoann Damet's comments this week emphasized the human aspect and doing right by the player in an undisclosed situation that he and his family have going on. This has been one of the most difficult situations in CITY history to untangle between the timing of when the club knew of Hartel's desire to leave & why that happened, the discussions that occurred between club & player, ancillary moves made by the club that could be related and a desire to get some value vs none at all. Sporting Director Corey Wray said “While we would have preferred for Marcel to remain with us and explored different options to keep him in St. Louis, we ultimately chose to respect the circumstances surrounding his decision and his desire to prioritize his personal situation.”  In a twist, Hartel himself is quoted in the CITY release saying “This was a very difficult decision that I felt I had to make for my family with what is going on in our personal lives. I know it wasn’t easy, but I want to thank everyone at the club for understanding my request to return to Germany and for supporting me throughout this process.” #AllForCITY

After I voiced skepticism at Hartel independently wanting a move away from St. Louis, the timelines and the reasons @stlCITYsc would have to move him and make a play for his DP slot, here's a portion of the player side of it: Hartel had previously talked about Lutz & Cedi in particular being huge factors in his decision to come to St. Louis. Lutz left last year and Cedi's option was declined a few months ago. Then, in an interview w/GEISSBLOG who covers FC Koln from 4/1/26, Hartel talks about A LOT. Here are 2 very pertinent excerpts for #AllForCITY fans: Full interview: geissblog.koeln/2026/04/wenn…