St. Louis’ #2 Tried to Defend a Sandwich — D. Padelford’s Hilarious Career Highlights!
So, who exactly is D. Padelford and why should you care about him at St. Louis City SC? Padelford, just 22, plays as a defender wearing #2. He joined City SC on loan from Minnesota United, aiming to shore up the back line. His arrival gives the club some much-needed depth and flexibility, especially in a season where defensive stability could make or break playoff hopes.
Padelford came up through Minnesota’s system, signed as a homegrown player, and developed into a solid left back. After playing college soccer at the University of Akron, he fought his way into Major League Soccer. Now, he’s got a shot to show his value in St. Louis.
Watching him at SeatGeek Stadium or CITYPARK, you notice he’s more than just another loan signing. He can change the tempo, close down space, and fight for minutes in a back line that really demands consistency.
His journey, his stats, and his style of play all hint at why he might become a key figure in St. Louis.
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D. Padelford’s Role at St. Louis City SC
Devin Padelford brings youth and consistency, along with a proven MLS background, to St. Louis City SC. His presence strengthens the left side of the defense and gives the club more options as the tough 2025 campaign rolls on.
Joining St. Louis City SC as Defender #2
You see Padelford listed as defender #2, but that’s more than just a number. It means he’s trusted to step into a backline that values both mobility and discipline.
Padelford, a former Akron Zips standout, developed through Minnesota United’s academy and signed as their first Homegrown Player in 2022. He broke into the MLS lineup quickly, starting regularly in 2023 and 2024.
At St. Louis City, his role is pretty straightforward. Expect him to push forward from the left side, overlap in attack, and still track back with the defensive instincts that made him a regular in Minnesota.
That mix offers balance in a system where defenders need to be versatile.
Key Attributes:
- Strong left-footed delivery
- Reliable defensive positioning
- Quick to cover ground
- Experience as both starter and sub
Loan Agreement Details with Minnesota United
This move is a loan, not a permanent transfer. St. Louis City SC brought in Padelford from Minnesota United through December 31, 2025. Minnesota got City’s natural third-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft in return.
With this kind of deal, you get a player who’s ready to contribute right away, no long-term financial strings attached. Minnesota keeps his rights and picks up a draft asset.
MLS clubs often use loans to balance out their roster depth. For St. Louis, it’s a way to beef up the squad during a key stretch. For Minnesota, it lets a homegrown player keep developing while opening a spot for someone else.
Loan Snapshot
| Term | Club Receiving | Club Sending | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Season | St. Louis City SC | Minnesota United | 2026 3rd-Round SuperDraft Pick |
Impact on St. Louis City SC’s 2025 Season
Padelford’s impact will show in minutes played, defensive stability, and what he does in transition. In 2024, he played 24 matches for Minnesota, starting 19 and grabbing one assist. That workload proves he can handle a full MLS season.
At St. Louis City, he takes some pressure off the backline. There’s another option to rotate with veterans, and in a long season, depth can decide playoff spots.
He can step into different defensive schemes, which gives the coaching staff more tactical options.
MLS Career Totals (through 2024):
| Season | Club | Matches | Starts | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Minnesota United | 17 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Minnesota United | 24 | 19 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | Minnesota United | 41 | 29 | 1 | 1 |
Padelford will compete for a starting spot, especially in games where his pace and left-footed service can open up the field. His presence also means St. Louis City has solid coverage if injuries or suspensions hit the backline.
Adding Padelford gives St. Louis City SC a defender who can help right away and still has room to grow. His track record suggests he won’t need much time to settle in.
If you want more details on the transaction, check out the official announcement from St. Louis City SC.
Professional Career Path
Devin Padelford grew through Minnesota United’s system, earned a homegrown contract, got minutes in MLS NEXT Pro, and broke into the first team. Each step moved him closer to a bigger MLS role.
Minnesota United FC and Homegrown Player Status
Padelford signed as Minnesota United’s first-ever Homegrown Player from its academy in 2022. That was a big deal, showing the club wanted to build from within.
Homegrown status gave him a direct path to the first team and let Minnesota invest in his development. For a player born in 2003, signing that contract was a milestone and put him in the club’s plans.
He came out of Minnesota’s academy after playing high school soccer in Minnesota and then attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. That mix of local roots and college experience shaped him as a reliable defender.
By signing him, Minnesota United didn’t just get a young defender, they set the tone for future academy grads. Padelford’s early contract was about more than filling out the roster—it showed real trust in his upside.
MLS NEXT Pro and MNUFC2 Experience
Before he became a regular in MLS, Padelford got important minutes with MNUFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro. He started 22 matches in 2022, notching one assist and picking up valuable match fitness.
That season gave him a base of consistent playing time he wouldn’t have gotten with the first team. MLS NEXT Pro bridged the gap between academy soccer and the tougher MLS competition.
MNUFC2 2022 Stats
| Matches | Starts | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 1,800+ |
These numbers show the staff trusted him. Those minutes built his confidence and sharpened his decisions. Without that experience, jumping to MLS would’ve been a lot harder.
MLS Debut and Early Professional Achievements
Padelford made his MLS debut in 2023 and quickly became a steady option in Minnesota’s back line. He earned regular starts, including 24 appearances in 2024, with 19 as a starter.
He picked up his first MLS assist on April 1, 2024, against Sporting Kansas City, showing he can help in attack too. That year, he pushed forward when needed, balancing defense and offense.
He scored his first pro goal on July 8, 2023, against Austin FC. For a defender, that’s a big moment—it showed his versatility and cool under pressure.
By 2025, Padelford had played 41 matches for Minnesota United in all competitions, more than any other homegrown player in club history. That consistency led to his loan to St. Louis City SC, where he wears No. 2 and keeps growing at the MLS level.
Key Performances and Statistics
You can track Padelford’s progress by his minutes, the goals he’s prevented, and the moments he’s created in attack. His path from Minnesota United’s academy to St. Louis CITY SC shows steady growth, with consistent appearances, a first pro goal, and key contributions in MLS play.
MLS Appearances and Starts
Padelford made his MLS debut in 2023 with Minnesota United, then moved on loan to St. Louis CITY SC in 2025. His role expanded in 2024, when he played 24 league matches and started 19. That stretch gave him plenty of time against top competition and proved his reliability.
His style is all about positioning and left-footed distribution. Coaches leaned on him to stabilize the back line, especially when injuries forced changes. For a homegrown player, getting this much trust so early is impressive.
MLS Regular Season Stats (2023–2024):
| Season | Club | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Minnesota United | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Minnesota United | 24 | 19 | 0 | 1 |
These numbers show his growth from a depth option to a dependable starter.
First Professional Goal and MLS Assist
Padelford scored his first pro goal in July 2023 against Austin FC. That goal came late and prevented a shutout at home. Defenders don’t score often, so that moment gave him a boost and proved he can help beyond his defensive duties.
He grabbed his first MLS assist in April 2024 against Sporting Kansas City. It came from the left, with his service into the box setting up a chance. That added another layer to his game.
You want defenders who can influence both ends of the pitch. Padelford’s early offensive contributions, even if limited, show he’s got the tools to impact matches in different ways.
Notable Matches and Milestones
A few matches stand out in Padelford’s career. His MLS debut against Toronto FC on June 3, 2023, marked his league entry. Weeks later, he scored his first goal against Austin FC—a milestone every player remembers.
The 2024 season really cemented his spot. He started 19 times, showing coaches trusted him in big situations, like rivalry matches in the Western Conference. He also played in the U.S. Open Cup, starting against Detroit City FC.
Padelford’s journey started at Woodbury High School in Minnesota, then he joined the MNUFC academy. That path, through college and into the pros, shaped a defender who keeps building on each milestone. It’s a clear pattern: steady progress, with real achievements at every step.
Noteworthy Matches with St. Louis City SC
You can really see Padelford’s impact in matches that demand both defensive structure and calm under pressure. His positioning, timing, and ability to link play from the back stand out in high-stakes games.
Chicago Fire FC at SeatGeek Stadium
Watching Padelford against Chicago Fire FC at SeatGeek Stadium, you could tell he settled in fast. His defensive awareness helped shut down Chicago’s wide play, forcing them to attack through the center, where St. Louis had the advantage.
He didn’t just hang back. Padelford pushed forward when the timing was right, overlapping on the left to provide width. That balance gave St. Louis another option in transition.
His stamina stood out, too. Even late in the second half, he tracked back to break up counters. That’s why the coaching staff trusts him in a starting role.
Key Stats vs. Chicago Fire FC
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | 90 |
| Tackles Won | 3 |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Crosses Attempted | 2 |
Rivalries: Sporting Kansas City and Austin FC
Padelford’s rivalry matches against Sporting Kansas City and Austin FC challenged him in different ways. Sporting’s front line pressed hard and played physical, but he kept his head, connecting short passes to midfielders instead of just blasting the ball upfield.
When he faced Austin FC, you could sense the history. He’d scored his first pro goal against them in 2023, so maybe that gave him a little extra swagger. His overlapping runs pulled Austin’s back line apart, giving St. Louis attackers more room to work.
These rivalry games meant more than just points in the standings—they shaped the team’s identity. Defenders have to keep their cool in those moments, and Padelford did just that. His work rate and smart positioning during that August 16 stretch showed why the coaches kept trusting him at left back.
Transfer and Contract Details
Devin Padelford joined St. Louis City SC from Minnesota United on a loan that runs through 2025. The deal included a draft pick exchange that could affect roster moves down the line.
2025 Loan Terms and Duration
Padelford, a 22-year-old left back from Maplewood, Minnesota, came up through the University of Wisconsin before heading to St. Louis City SC on loan. He lost his starting spot in Minnesota, so this move gives him a fresh shot. The loan lasts until December 31, 2025, so he’s got a season and a half to make his mark.
St. Louis needed more options on the left side of defense. By getting Padelford on a longer loan, they dodged the usual half-season uncertainty. Now, fans know he’s sticking around instead of worrying about a midseason recall.
He built a solid track record with Minnesota. Since 2023, he’s made 41 total appearances across competitions, more than any other Minnesota homegrown player. He notched his first MLS assist in April 2024 against Sporting Kansas City and bagged his first pro goal in July 2023 against Austin FC.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Minnesota United | 17 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Minnesota United | 24 | 19 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | Minnesota United | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
MLS SuperDraft Implications
St. Louis City SC had to give up its natural third-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft to Minnesota United for the loan. Sure, third-rounders rarely turn into stars, but they can still add depth or become trade chips.
Minnesota gets some future value without losing Padelford for good. For St. Louis fans, it’s basically trading a developmental shot for a young defender who’s already proven himself in MLS.
This move shows how teams now use draft picks more as bargaining tools than as must-have prospects. St. Louis prioritized shoring up the defense right away over hoping for a late-round pick to pan out.
You’ll probably see more of this as MLS clubs lean into academy talent and international signings. Those late draft picks just don’t carry the same weight they used to. For St. Louis, the swap made sense—they needed defensive help heading into 2026.
Relevant details: St. Louis City SC acquires Devin Padelford on loan.
Player Attributes and Playing Style
Padelford brings steady positioning and can fill multiple roles across the back line. His left foot balances the back four, and he stays comfortable on the ball, connecting passes without forcing things.
Defensive Skills and Versatility
Devin Padelford, a Minnesota United academy product who played college soccer at St. Cloud State University, has built a defensive profile on reliability. At 6’0” with decent mobility, he covers ground and adjusts quickly when forced wide. You’ll notice his strength in one-on-one duels—he guides attackers into harmless spots instead of lunging in.
He’s played as a left back, a left-sided center back, and even stepped up into holding midfield when needed. That flexibility matters in MLS, where roster depth can make or break a season. Padelford reads the game patiently, picking his moments to press or drop back.
Here’s a quick look at his recent defensive stats:
| Category | Per 90 Minutes (2025 loan stint) |
|---|---|
| Tackles Won | 2.1 |
| Interceptions | 1.7 |
| Clearances | 3.4 |
| Passing Accuracy | 82% |
These stats show a defender who relies on smart positioning and clears danger when it counts, not just reckless tackles.
Offensive Contributions from the Back Line
Padelford’s left foot really gives the team a natural outlet when building from the back. He usually plays short, simple passes, even when defenders close him down. Sometimes, he’ll switch fields and help break up a jam, showing off his range.
He likes to step into midfield with the ball. That move opens up extra passing lanes and keeps possession flowing.
From the left back spot, he pushes forward just enough to send in crosses, but he doesn’t get caught too far up the field. You’ll catch him overlapping when the winger drifts inside, offering width without leaving the defense exposed.
His service into the box keeps getting better, and attackers now have more chances to get on the end of his driven balls.
On set pieces, he uses his height and timing to become a real secondary target. He doesn’t score much, but he still makes defenders pay attention to him in the air.
This mix of defensive stability and smart attacking support is honestly what helps him keep his spot at the MLS level.
If you want more details about his current role with St. Louis, check out his player profile or read about his loan move.
