Marcel Hartel is thriving under David Critchley

St. Louis CITY SC has left it too late, but much like John Hackworth’s 2024 campaign, David Critchley has seemingly rediscovered the winning formula: let Marcel Hartel loose.

That was the formula in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Austin FC that gave the club its first three-match road winning streak since the very first three away matches in club history. The run is just desserts for a squad that has vastly improved under caretaker manager David Critchley, improving to the 19th-best expected goals differential since Olof Mellberg was relieved of his duties. It’s an expected differential that bests both Bradley Carnell’s 2023 and John Hackworth’s stint at the end of last season, and it’s driven by the success in the attack. 

João Klauss is 12th in MLS in expected goals plus expected assists during that time, while Hartel is 15th, nearly level with MVP candidate Evander. 

Hartel’s play under Critchley has been near-MVP level: Trails only Carles Gil in key passes, trails only Lionel Messi in expected assists, and increased his xG + xA production from 0.36 xG + xA per 96 minutes under Hackworth and 0.40 under Mellberg, to 0.55 xG + xA per 96 minutes since the coaching change. 

It’s no surprise, then, that Hartel is Critchley’s greatest advocate as the managerial search hangs over the final weeks of the season. 

"I hope Critch is staying so we can keep building this in 2026." Hartel enthused from Austin, pointing to the group’s recent run away from home. “Three away games on the road, three wins, three good games. Good performance with the ball, and against the ball in the end, we kept fighting.”

To understand Hartel’s growth is to understand that his usage has evolved from when he first arrived in Mound City. Under Hackworth, Hartel was largely used on the left side of his 4-2-2-2, floating inside and interchanging with Cedric Tuechert. It was successful as both hit the ground running through the Leagues Cup and the final MLS slate. However, his usage under Olof Mellberg saw him as the talismanic figure in an attack that looked to hit heavy on the counter without sacrificing too much space against the ball. While that formation shift saw Hartel’s underlying numbers tick up, it saw CITY SC fall back down to earth as the collective attack failed to produce opportunities. 

Now, under Critchley, Hartel’s role has evolved into something resembling his usage under Fabian Hürzeler, which saw him help lead St. Pauli to the Bundesliga. Hartel is often slotted next to João Klauss against the ball, helping lead the first wave of CITY SC’s defensive structure.

Then, he frees himself underneath Klauss as the double pivot picks up the midfield behind him, and while that has left holes in the formation defensively, the tradeoff in the attack has been worth it.

Hartel is receiving the ball in more advanced positions with options to find multiple runners forward, or take the space and shoot for himself.  

“Marcel has grown at a great rate.” Critchley reflected. “You definitely see the efficiency in his striking of fantastic goals, and how he scores, and the angles he creates for himself. He's also finding those little pockets of space in the box for the second goal, so offensively, he's helping the team impact those now with big time plays.”

Hartel’s play has also emboldened Klauss as he drags defenders out of position and creates important moments for his teammates. It’s tough to see at face value, Klauss’s actual numbers have not caught up to his impact – and maybe they never will – but his impact rivals that of Chicago’s Hugo Cuypers and Toronto’s Djordje Mihailavić. If the designation next to Klauss’s name is TAM and not DP, then he instantly becomes one of the best value players in the league. 

The attack has been transformed from the 21st-ranked attack to 8th in MLS with 1.80 xGF generated per match under Critchley’s tenure, compared to 1.27 xGF per match under Mellberg.

However, up until recently, they have sacrificed their defensive structure to open up the attack.

Critchley has said as much, recognizing that finding goals and excitement in the attack was just step one in turning the club around. Even with the increased xG allowed, the expected difference has improved from 24th in MLS to 18th – a difference of 0.23 xGF-xGA per match. 

Critchley is managing for an opportunity, and while fans can point to the uptick in form last season as the playoff odds became long as a reason to not lean too far over their skies, CITY SC has also been dealing with adversity. A CB pair that has been shifting thanks to injuries, sickness, and visa delays, and a midfield that has been in constant flux behind Hartel. Even outplaying Austin without Edu Löwen, a feat that has eluded CITY SC over the past two seasons. 

The rest of the lineup decisions in Austin deserve a deeper look as well. 

Conrad Wallem and Tomas Totland were the answers at FB, with Wallem forcing Devan Padelford out of the lineup for the first time since arriving in St. Louis on loan from Minnesota. 

It worked to the tune of Totland’s match-leading six chances created, with the pair winning 20 of 24 duels and 11 total tackles. Austin was able to exploit the space behind them at times, but for the most part, their advanced positioning hemmed Austin into the middle of the pitch. 

Totland’s four interceptions helped the Norwegian tie Fallou Fall for most defensive contributions on the night in his first start since July 19th vs Dallas. 

There’s a lot to like in this performance. Sure, it’s a tired Austin FC without the pressure to win bearing down on top of them… but there is still pressure to win. The group wants to win for David Critchley, they want to win to prove they can be a part of the solution next season, and they want to win to give St. Louis fans a parting gift at the end of a very long season. 

It’s a match where Mykhi Joyner still created the highest xG opportunity of the night, and Simon Becher finally made good on some of the league’s best expected numbers.

Will the new sporting director value these results? Are these results good enough for a club that wants to contend?

Important questions to answer heading into one final match vs a RSL squad that will be playing for their postseason lives.