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There are two ways to look at a night at ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ City SC’s stadium:

One, as a game — the casual American way of describing this experience, which is a competition, sure, but also a celebration of our town, its soccer culture, its cuisine and its cold beer.

Two, as a match — the intense international way of describing the fierce feuding of feet on the pitch, where wins are on the line (and sometimes draws).

And so, as we enter City SC’s third season Saturday at the newly named Energizer Park, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ans are ready to chant and cheer ... but also chase a postseason berth.

“The expectation for 2025 is: We will make the playoffs,� City SC owner Carolyn Kindle told the Post-Dispatch. “There’s no waver. Yes, that is the expectation. ... We’ve said from Day 1 that we want to be a playoff-quality team every year. And so, when you don’t make the playoffs, you really do have to do a deep dive on: What do we need to do differently? And I think that everybody — whether it’s sporting or business — took the time and really did that deep dive.�

In a conversation that included questions about the new coach, potential Major League Soccer divisions and a possible women’s pro team, Kindle answered with honesty and passion.

“I’m very excited for the team this year,� she said. “I think the team came together at the end of 2024. After an extensive process, we hired an amazing head coach (Olof Mellberg), I think, not only from a culture perspective but a philosophy perspective. We’re ready to unveil some new fun activities. Really continue to promote match day but also promote City2 and our community events. And I think there’s just a general excitement that soccer’s back.

Here’s more from Kindle:

Q: What can you share about Mellberg and the team’s culture and philosophy?

A: So (City president and general manager) Diego Gigliani and (sporting director) Lutz Pfannenstiel went through a very extensive research process, using everything from data to just their Rolodex. And you know, the top three candidates were all fantastic. And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say thank you to John Hackworth for stepping in and taking over as interim coach. But I think that we got a gem in Olof. Mild-mannered but from a sporting perspective, very much aligned with the philosophy that Lutz and the ownership group put in from Day One — an aggressive, high press (style on the field).

Q: How might the momentum from the end of last year affect this year?

A: We had the most active summer transfer window compared to any other MLS team. And we always knew that, at some point, we were going to have to be a little bit more active in how we attract and retain talent. I don’t think we were expecting it to be that window, but it was time to make some pretty significant changes.

And if you look at the players and the talent that we were able to obtain in that transfer window, they really were game-changers. Not only personally did they fit in with the team, but they’re definitely a little bit of a higher caliber than maybe some of the players we had, which I believe makes every player want to be better. We’ve had two additions come in during the winter. And so I think that they had half of last season to really play together and start to kind of understand how they want to interact, both on and off the pitch. So going into this season, I think we have the benefit that they have spent time together. And I think that that’s key.

Q: As the National Women’s Soccer League grows, it’s easy to jump to a conclusion that you’d be interested in buying a team as you’ve tapped into the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ soccer community and you’re the first female-led ownership group in MLS. Is this a possibility and on your radar?

A: I mean, it’s always something that we’ve been watching — certainly the success of the KC Current and some of these other teams. However, I go back to (the fact that) we still have a lot of work to do with what we have. And — how do we really elevate City2? How do we continue to get wonderful kids into our academy system? So it’s always out there, it’s always being watched, it’s always being discussed. I just think that right now, we really need to still continue to focus on what we currently have.

Q: Could MLS create divisional play to create local rivalries such as with Chicago, Columbus and Kansas City?

A: So that’s been a discussion that we’ve sort of kind of quietly advocated for — is there a point where you would ever go to three divisions? ... Right now, from the league perspective, (the scheduling plan involves): How do we capitalize on the upcoming World Cup? And then what does the calendar look like going forward? And to their credit, they’re putting a lot of work into trying to determine what is the best way to go.

Q: How has Lionel Messi’s existence in MLS helped your team and the league in general?

A: It’s probably more from a league in general. It’s definitely helped sell Apple TV subscriptions. It’s brought in a very different demographic because of the heavy Hispanic following. He’s an international superstar, so to have him play in MLS, and whether he’s playing in your facility or not, people know Messi — and now they’re saying, “Messi plays in MLS, in North America.� And so I think that, from my perspective, it was more about elevating the quality and the recognition of the league as a whole and not so much specific teams.

Q: Lastly, can you describe the journey of City becoming so much part of the city?

A: Well, each year my expectations get exceeded 10 times over. You know, we’re in the high 90s-percentage of season ticket renewal rate. We onboarded a wonderful partner in Energizer to name our beautiful stadium Energizer Park. So the momentum keeps just continuing.

But I also like the fact that people have sort of settled into the routine, and they know what player they’re going to support, they wear the name on the back of the kit, they follow them on every single social media channel, they feel like they’re a part of their life. And that’s exactly what we wanted to have happen. I’ve become much more of a soccer fan. I think most importantly is I am continued to be awed by the support, unwavering support we get for the region. Five years ago, City didn’t exist. Didn’t exist. Now you see the City logo and crest (everywhere). ... You kind of have this moment of pride.