Bradley Carnell Takes MLS Franchise to Continental Competition in Inaugural Season

• Bradley Carnell was appointed as the head coach of St Louis City SC for their debut season
• The Missouri side are now the first expansion team to top a regular season conference table
• Carnell’s men achieved the regular season feat with two games to spare in the MLS season

Since taking over in St Louis, after almost four years as an assistant and then interim head coach at New York Red Bull, Bradley Carnell has guided the team to a top-placed finish in the Major League Soccer Western conference.

Every game at the helm of St Louis City SC has been uncharted territory for the former Wits University, Kaizer Chiefs, and VFB Stuttgart left-back.

His exploits mean he has earned the Missouri franchise a spot in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

As many as 10 teams from the MLS can qualify for next year’s continental competition, with mlssoccer.com outlining the multitude of qualifying routes.

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Carnell and St. Louis’s work is not done yet, as they will need to navigate the playoffs to lift the MLS Cup, effectively soccer’s version of the Superbowl.

The top nine teams from the Eastern and Western conferences qualify for the playoffs, with eighth and ninth place playing off for a slot in the conference bracket.

Expansion teams generally have low expectations, but this groundbreaking achievement began brewing early.

St. Louis, under Carnell, opened the season with five wins - a record for an expansion team - and they currently have 17 wins to their name, another MLS expansion team record.

Carnell credits supporters for St Louis' success

Carnell has been quick to shrug off praise, crediting the fans for the success in an interview with a morning news podcast, as reported by American publication, Audacy:

"We just find new ways to up our standards from a fan culture perspective, from the noise, from the support, it energizes the players on the field. The fans are a huge part of what we do around here."

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When Bradley joined St. Louis FC

Sports Brief previously reported on former Bafana star, Carnell joining Major League Soccer as the new manager of St Louis City SC.

He is no stranger to coaching roles and the MLS, having served as the New York Red Bulls assistant coach for five seasons before.

Carnell also served as the interim coach for the Red Bulls towards the end of the last season, helping lead them to the playoffs.