ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Saint Louis FC won 1-0 against Forward Madison FC of USL League One in a preseason friendly at World Wide Technology Soccer Park.

The first half saw both teams trying to establish a rhythm and Saint Louis FC had the better of the chances with some good work down both flanks from Russell Cicerone and Matt Bahner. STLFC goalkeeper Jake Fenlason was called to make a save in the 27th minute as Paulo Jr. dribbled into the area and got a clean shot but Fenlason was able to collect after the initial save. The home side would respond immediately through Bahner who set up Kadeem Dacres for the lone goal in the 28th minute as his left-footed shot went underneath Forward Madison goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre to make it 1-0 going into halftime.



Both sides made wholesale changes in the early stages of the second half and STLFC substitute Austin Martz created the first chance in the 68th minute as fellow substitute Paris Gee laid off the ball for him to hit first time but the shot went wide. STLFC Academy player Kipp Keller then had an effort from close range following a set piece taken by Lewis Hilton but his shot was saved in the 78th minute. Martz created another chance for Audi Jepson in the 83rd minute but his powerful shot from the top of the box was well saved by the Forward Madison goalkeeper. The final chance of the game would also fall to Jepson as Martz created a turnover in the final third and Albert Dikwa crossed the ball to find Jepson but his header went narrowly wide to see the game finish at 1-0.

“I think the first half we did not come out as we wanted and we were fortunate to get a goal to be honest,” said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “The second half was better in terms of what we have worked on in training and I think we played some good periods of football, but now the focus is translating that into 90 minutes against Indy Eleven next weekend.”