Jayden Reid and Johnny Klein have done this before, the former finding the latter in the middle of the box for a clear finish.
The two players made names for themselves with CITY2 in MLS Next Pro this season; Klein as the team’s prominent playmaker and Reid as the squad’s emerging left back. Now, they’re working to bring their chemistry to a CITY club that could use a jolt.
Are you a CITY SC fan?
Subscribe to the CITY Scene newsletter to get a fan’s guide to the pro soccer scene in St. Louis.
The play of Reid and Klein at CITY2 this season paved the way for both players to earn first team contracts in recent weeks. In MLS, Klein is aiming to provide an attacking boost that has been desperately needed amid St. Louis’ ongoing injury emergency, while Reid is trying to put an end to the revolving door at left back.
So far, so good on both accounts.
The pair connected for St. Louis’ lone goal during Sunday’s 4-1 loss at Colorado—a reminder of how they produced for CITY2, and a preview of what they could offer CITY in the weeks to come.
In an otherwise frustrating road game, Reid and Klein gave St. Louis something to appreciate. Reid contributed eight defensive actions against the Rapids, while also flashing his ability to affect play on the other end of the field. In the 12th minute, with CITY trailing 1-0, Reid danced his way down the left before firing a laser postmarked for Klein’s forehead. Klein, the former Saint Louis University star, knocked the ball into the net to level the score.
“I’m always confident that Jay is going to beat his man and send in good service,” Klein said.
For his part, Reid appreciates having the freedom to create along the left side of the attack.
“That’s my game,” he said. “That’s where I’m at my best, when I can run into that space. I’ve assisted Johnny before with the second team, but never with the first team. Hopefully this is one of many.”
In Reid’s case, it was his second MLS assist since debuting for CITY on June 23. For Klein, the goal was his first for the club.
“It’s exciting,” Klein said after the match, grinning at the memory. “It’s a personal moment for me that I will cherish for a while. My parents were in the stands to see it, so it was a good moment and gives me some confidence going forward.”
It was a momentous goal at the time—and, potentially, a glimpse at how the two players could continue to assist CITY in the future. St. Louis had conceded an early goal, and the team seemingly faced a steep uphill battle given its lack of depth and ongoing trouble with putting the ball in the back of the net.
“I thought that was phenomenal for us to get back into the game,” CITY interim head coach John Hackworth said. “Great goal, really good service, [and] excellent execution there from Johnny.”
The duo enjoyed a similar scoring connection against Rapids 2 earlier this season, and while Sunday’s trip to Colorado didn’t provide much else for which CITY could feel excited, the emergence of two young, hungry players was a welcomed—and much-needed—silver lining.
