Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch
Sports columnist
In one respect, it鈥檚 crazy to think that one year and one goal make a world of difference in the perception or feel coming away from 最新杏吧原创 City SC's season opener. On the other hand, it truly was not the one goal scored that changed the feeling from last season鈥檚 opener to this season鈥檚 first match.
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City SC forward Simon Becher brings the ball upfield as Charlotte FC midfielder Andrew Privett follows in the second half of a game Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Energizer Park.
Photos: 最新杏吧原创 City SC plays to 1-1 draw against Charlotte
最新杏吧原创 City SC midfielder Marcel Hartel dribbles away from Charlotte FC forward Liel Abada in the first half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC head coach Yoann Damet lobbies the referee for a call during a match between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC midfielder Marcel Hartel, center, Brendan McSorley, left, and Simon Becher celebrate Hartel鈥檚 second half goal during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC defender Rafael Santos tries to control the ball along the sideline as Charlotte FC defender Nathan Byrne defends in the first half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. New 最新杏吧原创 City SC head coach Yoann Damet is pictured to the left.
City SC forward Simon Becher, left, takes a shot as Charlotte FC midfielder Andrew Privett defends in the second half Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创.
Colored smoke rises above the stadium after the opening kickoff of a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Simon Becher flicks a ball on in the first half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Brendan McSorley, laying on the ground, reacts after he came up inches short on a cross in front of the goal during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC goalkeeper Roman B眉rki reacts after giving up a game tying goal in the second half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC supporters section fans hold up placards early in the first half in support of LGBTQ rights after the team instituted news rules limiting the display some banners during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC鈥檚 starting 11 line up and display 最新杏吧原创 City SC midfielder Eduard L枚wen (10) jersey before the start of a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Lowen has been out while he supports his wife who is having a serious health problem.
最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Simon Becher dribbles the ball upfield during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream makes a pass away from 最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Brendan McSorley during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Jeong Sang-bin takes the ball upfield during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC head coach Yoann Damet watches pre-game ceremonies before the start of a match between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee laughs on the sidelines after she brought out the game ball during pre-game ceremonies for a match between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC head coach Yoann Damet gives his players instructions during a match between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee waves to the crowd after bringing out the game ball during pre-game ceremonies for a match between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC supporters march into the stadium before a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC supporter Terin James holds up a scarf in support of trans people as the fans gather to cheer and chant before marching into the stadium for a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. 鈥淎ll for City means all of us鈥 said James.
最新杏吧原创 City SC supporters prepare to march into the stadium before a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC head coach Yoann Damet walks on the sideline before the start of a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
A small Black Lives Matters flag is waved in the supporters section during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Meridith Park and Charles Park, from Wentzville, arrived early at the supporters section to wave an LGBTQ flag before the start of a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. The supporters say the LGBTQ flag was approved by 最新杏吧原创 City SC.
最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Simon Becher dribbles to goal for a shot in the second half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Simon Becher reacts to after failing to score a goal on a shot in the second half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Brendan McSorley sprints to pressure the goalkeeper on goal kick in the second half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC defender Jaziel Orozco chases a bouncing ball in the box during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Charlotte FC midfielder Andrew Privett tries to bump 最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Brendan McSorley off the ball in the second half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC goalkeeper Roman B眉rki watches a deflected ball bounce wide of the goal in the first half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Charlotte FC forward Kerwin Vargas, left, pressures 最新杏吧原创 City SC defender Timo Baumgartl in the first half at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC midfielder Marcel Hartel carries the ball upfield as Charlotte FC forward Liel Abada defends during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC midfielder Miguel Perez takes the field as a late game substitute during a match between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC forward Simon Becher pressures Charlotte FC midfielder Andrew Privett into a turnover in the second half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC midfielder Marcel Hartel makes a pass in the first half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 City SC midfielder Daniel Edelman makes a long pass in the second half during a game between Charlotte FC and 最新杏吧原创 City SC at Energizer Park in 最新杏吧原创 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
