ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Saint Louis FC won 1-0 over LA Galaxy II in front of 4,006 fans at Toyota Stadium in Match 5 of the USL regular season.

Saint Louis FC scored the lone goal shortly after the halftime interval when Jonathan Barden crossed to the back post and found the head of Joey Calistri for his first goal of the season. The win sees Saint Louis FC improve to 2-1-2 on the season with 8 points while LA Galaxy remains winless with 2 points after six games.

The first half saw Saint Louis FC dominate possession and create the most chances, the first arriving in the 6th minute when Christian Volesky rounded his defender and smashed his shot against the near post. The next clear chance came in the 12th minute as Austin Martz looked to get on the scoresheet but his shot was saved by LA goalkeeper Eric Lopez and cleared off the line by a defender. LA responded with a couple efforts on the counter, the best chance coming in the 27th minute when Ariel Lassiter tried to chip STLFC goalkeeper Jake Fenlason from 30 yards but hit the crossbar. More chances fell to Saint Louis FC through the remainder of the half but none were converted to see both sides level at the break.

The second half saw Saint Louis FC come out fast and claim the only goal of the contest when Barden found Calistri at the back post to head the home side into the lead. Not many more chances came for either side, though Orlando City loanee Tony Rocha had a great chance to double the advantage as he was found at the top of the box by Kyle Culbertson but had his first-time effort palmed away by Lopez in the 85th minute. The win gives Saint Louis FC seven points from a possible nine during the three game homestand before the team visits Oklahoma City Energy FC and Swope Park Rangers over the next two weekends.

“I’m pleased with how positive we were in possession and the chances we created,” said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “The work ethic and togetherness of the players is evident and I do believe we keep improving every game which is something we focus on, the process, and getting better individually and collectively.”