FENTON, Mo. – Saint Louis FC scored early and then held on late to earn a 1-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday evening at Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis for the club’s first win of the regular season. Saint Louis struck in only the fifth minute when Kyle Greig seized on a ball upfield that saw Switchbacks goalkeeper Steward Ceus hesitate, and Greig swung home a perfect lobbed finish from the top-right corner of the penalty area. The Switchbacks almost found an equalizer just before halftime as a header by Jordan Burt was tipped over the crossbar by STLFC goalkeeper Jake Fenlason, while a powerful shot by Kadeem Dacres for Saint Louis forced a punched save by Ceus midway through the second half. Colorado Springs was almost gifted a late equalizer as a short header back to Fenlason was intercepted by Saeed Robinson, but STLFC defender Sean Reynolds got back in time to block his shooting chance. Fenlason then made a key late save to deny Switchbacks forward Tobenna Uzo in the final minute as the hosts held on for victory.

Scoring:
5’ – STL – Kyle Greig (Lewis Hilton)

• #STLvCOS: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. For a second consecutive week Saint Louis got off to an ideal start through Kyle Greig’s remarkable finish that took advantage of a moment of indecision by Colorado Springs’ defense, and on Saturday STLFC was able to make it stand for its first win of the regular season. Earning a first win of the season in the club’s home opener will be something to build on for Head Coach Anthony Pulis’ side after a display that had some scary moments late on.

• 2. Saint Louis was tidy in possession for much of the game, but some of its missteps on another day could have been costly. Most notable was the ill-advised header by Kyle Culbertson that almost allowed Saeed Robinson in for an equalizer that saw the STLFC captain baled out by Sean Reynolds’ saving challenge, but in general there were more defensive turnovers than Saint Louis would have liked, something that will need to be worked on moving forward.

• 3. Colorado Springs will feel like it should have come away with something from Saturday’s game after outshooting its hosts 11-8 on the game, but the Switchbacks weren’t quite clinical enough to find a way past STLFC goalkeeper Jake Fenlason and his defense despite their opportunities. A quick turnaround now awaits with a visit to Swope Park on Wednesday in which the Switchbacks’ attack will need to be sharper.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Sean Reynolds, Saint Louis FC – Reynolds made a game-saving challenge to deny a chance to Colorado Springs’ Saeed Robinson, and completed 61 of 66 passes, including a 100-percent success rate in his own half.

Upcoming Games:

Saint Louis FC vs. Fresno FC – April 7, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Swope Park Rangers – April 4, 8:30 p.m. ET, Children’s Mercy Park