Hernán López made his second appearance with The Town FC, scoring a highlight-reel goal from beyond midfield against St. Louis CITY2.
MORAGA, Calif. — For the third straight week, The Town FC took care of business on home turf, ending the 3-0-0 home stand with a 4-0 win over St. Louis CITY2 on Sunday.
The home stand couldn’t have been drawn up any better. TTFC scored at least four goals in each of the three matches, posted two clean sheets and put itself in the thick of the Western Conference race.
In a rematch of the 2024 Western Conference Semifinal round, The Town FC didn’t take long to get the show started against CITY2. TTFC took a 3-0 lead within the match’s first 19 minutes, featuring goals from both established Earthquakes regulars and promising prospects. Midfielder Hernán López scored first, in the seventh minute, jaw-droppingly hitting the back of the net from beyond midfield.
López’s goal showed a prime example of the 24-year-old’s cerebral instincts, as he caught St. Louis goalkeeper Colin Welsh well out of position to put TTFC out in front.
Midfielder Nick Fernandez doubled the lead five minutes later, also scoring from a significant distance. Fernandez received a pass from fellow midfielder Cruz Medina and used his right foot to hit the top right corner of the net from outside the 18-yard box.
The first-half scoring showcase was capped off by defender Jamar Ricketts, who scored from the exact spot that Fernandez tallied from, receiving an impressive set-up from López to give TTFC a 3-0 lead heading into halftime. Ricketts had also played in the Quakes’ Wednesday victory in the U.S. Open Cup.
Like Ricketts, Paul Marie suited up for The Town FC after joining the first team during the week. For the second time during TTFC’s homestand, Marie scored a second-half goal to increase the team’s lead. The French native knocked in a cross from winger Benji Kikanović to secure the four-goal advantage in the 52nd minute.
Goalkeeper Francesco Montali earned his second clean sheet of the season, only allowing one total goal during the home stand. Montali made five saves against St. Louis, and TTFC’s back line did an efficient job of stopping chances before they became dangerous.
The Town FC’s three-game win streak is its first of such length since early October of last year, when the team brought a four-win streak into the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
López’s goal and assist were his first goal contributions of 2025, including all competitions. Fernandez’s goal was his first of the year, while Ricketts and Marie each had prior goals.
Next, TTFC will begin a three-match road trip beginning with Sporting KC II, followed by Colorado Rapids 2 and LAFC 2. The Town FC won’t have to wait too long before facing CITY2 again, as the foes will meet in St. Louis on June 22.
The Town FC’s next match will be May 18 at 10 a.m. PST at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Kansas City as the Bay Area-based club searches to extend the winning streak.
MEDIA ASSETS
Click here to download photos of the match
NICK FERNANDEZ
HEAD COACH DAN DEGEER
MATCH INFORMATION
2025 MLS NEXT Pro Season
The Town FC 4 – 0 St. Louis CITY2
The Park at Saint Mary’s Stadium
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Scoring Summary:
TTFC (1-0) — H. López 7’
TTFC (2-0) — N. Fernandez 12’
TTFC (3-0) — J. Ricketts 19’
TTFC (4-0) — P. Marie 52’
Misconduct Summary:
TTFC — J. Skahan (Caution) 31’
STL — C. Glover (Caution) 41’
TTFC — P. Marie (Caution) 84’
TTFC — C. Medina (Caution) 85’
The Town FC: F. Montali (GK), J. Ricketts, A. Cano, W. Eisner, B. Kikanović (C. Cowell – 68’), H. López (R. Ibarra – 41’), N. Fernandez (R. Rajagopal – 62’), C. Medina, J. Skahan, N. Adimabua (J. Donnery – 67’), P. Marie (J. Spivey – 86’)
Substitutes not used: M. Rodriguez, D. Baptista, L. Ulrich
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 18; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 5
St. Louis CITY2: C. Welsh (GK), C. Cilley, G. Mikina, J. Orozco, T. Pearce (W. Kuzain – 76’), S. Antwi (L. Hackworth – 76’), M. Kidd (L. Cornelius – 41’), C. Glover (R. Becher – 41’), M. Perez, B. McSorely, E. Jääskeläinen
Substitutes not used: N. Bishop
SHOTS: 19; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 20; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4