Marcel Hartel arrived in St. Louis last year hungry to drive a turnaround. Despite the play that resulted in 10 goal contributions over 13 matches, however, CITY SC missed the playoffs.
Entering 2025 with a new manager and an updated formation, Hartel was going to be the heart of the squad’s attacking philosophy. Injuries throughout the roster derailed some of those plans, however, while the new manager could not figure out how to keep his attacking unit involved.
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.
It was a frustrating time for everyone.
Then, caretaker manager David Critchley identified the problem: There was no connectivity following the squad’s defending sequences, with Hartel often dropping back too deep to collect the ball. Hartel’s positioning had to evolve, as did the entire attacking unit, if St. Louis was going to turn around the season. Since Critchley’s arrival, Hartel has played with more freedom farther up the pitch, he’s received the ball in more strategic areas, and he’s been far more dangerous in the attacking third.
All of that progress finally came to a head in Sunday’s 2–1 win over the Portland Timbers. Hartel could be found in the front lines of the attack, he ran off of João Klauss’ shoulder, and he created a match-leading seven scoring chances.
“We played good games, but we never get the result,” Hartel reflected afterward. “And today was an amazing game.”
St. Louis finally came out on top after recent improved play. Critchley felt CITY should have also won the week prior in Salt Lake, with Hartel leading the way with two assists, but there were too many lapses in the team’s ability to hold the line.
“The goals were especially [important] for the team and for the coaching staff,” Hartel said. “They put so much effort in every week—in training, in our analyses, pre- and post-match. And the goals were just for the team to celebrate after the game.”
Hartel was emotional throughout the match—it was clear how much the win meant to CITY. “In the end, we were defending with our heart to get these three points,” Hartel said. “And after the whistle from the ref, you can feel this emotion from the whole team, from the crowd.”
If St. Louis is to turn their season around, it will be in large part because Critchley has unlocked Hartel’s form, which is reminiscent of his final season at St. Pauli, where the German created 35 goal contributions in 37 matches. Hartel’s play hasn’t dropped this season; he’s led most matches in distance covered and created chances, but he’s not been as dangerous earlier in the season. Since the coaching change, however, he’s higher up the pitch, and with Edu Löwen returning to the lineup, it’s one less responsibility that Hartel needs to account for in the midfield.
“He’s been super impactful for this team in all spaces on the field,” Critchley said. “So to finalize his game, he needs to build off this now and continue to score goals.”
