St. Louis City are a new club taking part in their first-ever league campaign in the MLS.
The newly assembled squad has enjoyed a strong start to the season, with 13 wins in 23 league games, leaving them at the top of the MLS Western Conference.
With 13 goals scored from set plays, they have netted more goals than any other side in the league so far.
Their most recent league triumph against Inter Miami has given them the attention they deserve, especially with all three goals in their 3-0 victory coming through set pieces.
Ex-Hertha Berlin midfielder Eduard Löwens ball-striking ability has been critical to their success from dead balls.
Their other designated player spots have been taken by Roman Bürki, arriving from Borussia Dortmund and Klauss from 1899 Hoffenheim.
In this tactical analysis, we will examine Bradley Carnell tactics employed by St. Louis Citys corner routines, with an in-depth analysis of how their strategy of trapping defenders inside the six-yard box has been successful.
This set-piece analysis will examine why this method has been effective and how St. Louis City could further develop their routines to remain unpredictable.
St Louis City SC Preferred Routine
The primary method which has enabled St Louis City SC to be so effective from corners has been their ability to create open spaces on the six-yard line.
They have used a variety of screens to block defenders from stepping out of the six-yard box, which has allowed a runner from deep to arrive in the six-yard box and attack the ball with pace.
In the image below, it is clear to see St. Louis City using two screens at the near side of the box.
The two pink lines show how St. Louis can box defenders into their six-yard box, creating free space on the near side of the six-yard box.
In the close-up, we can see the players providing screens are clearly instructed to do so, with them turning their back to the ball.
Turning around to face the defender increases the effectiveness of the screen whilst also reducing the chance the player has of making the first contact with the ball.
With so many p
