New York City FC and St. Louis City drew 1–1 in an MLS encounter that exposed both sides' inefficiency in front of goal. NYCFC dominated territorially with 15 shots and 7 on target, generating 1.14 expected goals, yet their goalkeeper made a crucial contribution, recording an 85.71 per cent save rate and stopping 0.3 goals above expected. St. Louis City, operating in a 3–4–3 formation, proved more clinical despite registering only 3 shots on target from 14 attempts, posting 1.4 xG and converting through Brendan McSorley. Hannes Wolf equalised for the hosts, but NYCFC's 4–2–3–1 setup failed to capitalise on their attacking advantage. The result leaves both sides searching for consistency in the early season.