Seth Rudolph’s patience paid dividends Saturday night.

A former standout at Belleville West High, Rudolph made his first start for St. Louis FC and scored a pair of goals in the team’s 7-1 rout of the Tulsa Roughnecks before a crowd of 4,749 at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.

Rudolph, who joined the team late after playing the past two seasons in Sweden, scored four minutes into the game and added another early in the second half. He also ripped a shot off the cross bar.

“We wanted to get that early goal, put them on their heels,’’ Rudolph said. “Once we got one, we were able to build off it and get a couple of more. I had to transition back into the U.S. style of play — the game’s a little more up-tempo here — and it took some time, as you can tell. … I was working hard, just biding my time and waiting for the opportunity and knew that once I got it I’d have to perform.’’

STLFC coach Dale Schilly added: “Over the last month or so ... every time we’ve given him opportunities, he’s taken advantage of it. Then, this week in particular on Wednesday, he was outstanding (in practice). That’s when the staff, we decided it was the right time for him. He was really, really good tonight, could’ve scored four goals.’’