NYCFC won't overlook slow-starting St. Louis City

For some MLS clubs, the season's first international break was like a basketball team going into the locker room at halftime up by double digits.

Sure, it's nice to get some rest, but how much momentum will be sacrificed as a result?

New York City FC will find out the answer to that question when they host St. Louis City SC on Saturday.

Coach Pascal Jansen's New York squad has won three and drawn one of its first five league matches, with the only blemish a 3-2 setback to reigning MLS Cup holders Inter Miami just before the break.

Jansen was happy with the way his squad -- at least those players who did not have to travel with their national teams -- prepared over the break.

"Always an interesting time," Jansen said. "You might think we're going to relax a little bit, but it's finding the right balance between relaxing a little bit ... but also keeping everyone focused on making their own individual progress. I think we managed that quite well."

Nicolas Fernandez and Agustin Ojeda scored in the setback to the Herons two weeks ago. Fernandez is third in MLS with five goals in five games, and tied with Nashville's Sam Surridge for the most shots on goal with 12 so far.

Maxi Moralez is tied for the league lead with four assists as the club has outscored opponents 13-6.

New York faces a St. Louis side that is also hoping to keep the momentum after picking up its first win of the season, a 3-1 triumph over the New England Revolution.

St. Louis only has four goals in five games this season, so the outburst against New England was needed. Simon Becher and Christopher Durkin scored in the first half for St. Louis, and Marcel Hartel scored a banger in the 83rd minute off a bad Revolution giveaway.

Jansen is not fooled by St. Louis's 1-3-1 start.

"They have been very unlucky with the results so far because the team has done better than what the results will tell you," Jansen said. "I think they deserve more in quite a few games they've played. That is on us to make sure that doesn't happen."

Veteran St. Louis midfielder Eduard Lowen returned to practice earlier this week for the first time since his wife Ilona died of cancer March 9. It's unknown whether Lowen will attempt to play this weekend.

"I think he's just happy to be back on the pitch, back with his mates and get his mind off of things," coach Yoann Damet said. "I think he just wants to enjoy being back here around the team. We have to take it a day at a time, assess where he's at, just make sure he's OK and see physically, like this week we're gonna test him, we'll see how close he is physically and then we'll make the decision in due time."

--Field Level Media