Amid St. Louis CITY SC’s playoff chase this past weekend, there was a reunion.
For Henry Kessler, the newest member of CITY’s back line, it was one to remember.
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Kessler, acquired last month in a trade with the New England Revolution for former St. Louis vice-captain Tim Parker, is quickly becoming an important part of the CITY lineup. He was once a key piece of New England’s plans, too, as evidenced by the outpouring of affection for the 26-year-old upon his return to Gillette Stadium on Saturday night. Ahead of the match, the Revs even surprised Kessler with a video tribute showing many of his most important contributions during his four-plus seasons with the team.
“The fans were going crazy,” St. Louis interim head coach John Hackworth said.
Kessler noticed.
“It was really nice of them to do that,” he said.
But Kessler was more focused on the present than he was the past. In a crucial game for CITY’s unlikely playoff push, Kessler felt much more eager to contribute to his current team than reminisce on things that used to be. That focus paid off. In an emotional return to Foxborough, Kessler scored his first goal for St. Louis—a header in the 23rd minute that opened the scoring in an eventual 2-2 draw—and further endeared himself to his new club as a player willing to grind and contribute in myriad ways.
“There’s a lot to build on with Henry’s performance,” Hackworth said.
Start with the goal. Midway through the first half, Kessler showcased his athleticism when he rose to meet Marcel Hartel’s corner, arching the ball over New England defenders and past the outstretched arms of Revs goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič. Scoring his first goal for his new team was one thing. Doing so against his former keeper was another.
“For him to score the goal, fantastic,” Hackworth said.
Unfortunately for Kessler and CITY, there wasn’t much time to enjoy the strike. Moments later, Kessler lost his footing on the soggy turf, allowing Luca Langoni a direct line to the goal to tie the match.
“It was an eventful night,” Kessler said afterwards, clearly frustrated. “I knew that going in. Obviously, the goal made it more eventful. [But] also giving up one on the other end, I’m really disappointed about [that].”
Hackworth was willing to cut his central defender some slack.
“I really think that was just one of those unlucky plays,” the CITY coach said. “And the surface has a lot to do with that, when he was getting a little wet. But he stayed in it [and] dug in deep. [When we] went to a back three, he’s the only guy in the middle. [He] played really brave.”
After the match, Kessler and Parker mingled with their former teammates, catching up after a whirlwind month and a half of action. While the trade with New England meant CITY had to part ways with a player in Parker who filled so many roles in a short period of time for the young club, St. Louis has been pleased with early returns from Kessler.
“It’s been fun getting to know him,” Hackworth said. “It’s been fun learning how I can push him in the right ways. He’s a very analytical thinker about the game and his own decision-making process. Working with a player like that is a joy. To see him perform on the field and watching him go through his own decision-making processes, and playing very well for us, has been a pleasure.”
