From Backyard Badminton to MLS Banger: How J. Klauss Turned St. Louis City’s #9 Into a Goal-Scoring Machine (and a Meme)
When you spot the number 9 on João Klauss’s back, you get what it means for St. Louis City SC. The Brazilian striker stands at the heart of the attack, blending strength, precision, and that cool head in front of goal. Klauss gives St. Louis a reliable finisher—someone who can flip a match with just one sharp touch.
His impact goes deeper than just goals. Klauss brings experience from his time in Europe, with stops in Germany, Finland, Austria, and Belgium before he landed in MLS.
His journey shows persistence and growth, shaping him into the leader up top for St. Louis.
You get even more perspective tracing his roots back to Brazil, where he developed at Internacional, Juventude, and Grêmio. Then he moved through Hoffenheim and HJK Helsinki, where he became top scorer, before making his way to Major League Soccer.
That kind of background? It means Klauss offers more than just goals—he’s got the full forward’s toolkit that really gives St. Louis City SC an edge.
Contents
J. Klauss at St. Louis City SC
You probably see João Klauss as more than a scorer. He shoulders the responsibilities of central striker, carries the expectations of a Designated Player, and represents one of St. Louis City SC’s first signings.
His presence really shapes how the club attacks and how opponents set up.
Role as Forward #9
Watching Klauss, you can’t miss how he plays as a true No. 9. He leads the line, holds up the ball, and creates space for those wingers and midfielders.
At 6-foot-2, he’s a natural target in the box, but his touch and movement make him more than just a threat in the air.
Klauss works with his back to goal, linking passes and pulling defenders out of position. That opens the door for teammates like Eduard Löwen to push up and find gaps.
His blend of physicality and technical skill? It makes life tough for most MLS center backs.
He’s got that striker’s instinct too. Klauss scored the club’s first hat trick in a 3-3 draw with the LA Galaxy, showing how he times his runs and stays calm when it counts.
For a team still finding its identity, having a reliable No. 9 like him is just huge.
Designated Player Status
Klauss came to City SC as a Designated Player, which means a bigger salary and bigger expectations. The club signed him as a cornerstone ahead of its MLS debut, making it clear he’d be central to both performance and marketing.
As a DP, you expect him to show up consistently. That’s not just about goals—it’s about leadership, showing up in big matches, and lifting teammates.
His experience in Europe with Hoffenheim, LASK, and HJK Helsinki gave him the tools to handle that kind of pressure.
St. Louis counts on him to make the DP slot worth it. His production, both scoring and holding up play, helps justify the investment.
When he delivers, it proves the club was right to build around a striker who can anchor the attack.
Impact on Team Performance
The whole feel of City SC changes when Klauss is out there. His goals swing results, like the 3-1 win over Nashville SC where he scored before halftime.
He brings both a scoring threat and a focal point that shapes the team’s style.
The stats back it up:
| Season | MLS Goals | MLS Assists | Hat Tricks | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 23 |
| 2024 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 27 |
| 2025* | 9 | 3 | 1 | 18 |
*2025 stats through August
When Klauss finds the net, City SC usually gets points. That hat trick against LA Galaxy? It showed he can rescue results when the heat’s on.
Without him, the attack just doesn’t look as direct or effective.
If you’re a fan, you feel his impact. Klauss isn’t just playing striker—he’s setting the tone for how St. Louis City SC competes in MLS.
MLS Career Highlights
João Klauss has made a name for himself as a reliable scorer for St. Louis City SC, stepping up in big moments throughout the MLS season.
He’s earned a reputation for timely goals, individual honors, and steady performances against tough Western Conference opponents.
Hat Trick Against LA Galaxy
One of Klauss’s standout games came in Matchday 19 of the 2025 MLS season when he scored the first hat trick in St. Louis City SC history.
Against the LA Galaxy, he hit three, including a stoppage-time equalizer to secure a 3-3 draw.
His first goal arrived in the 35th minute—he finished a quick give-and-go with Marcel Hartel. He followed up just after halftime when Célio Pompeu lofted a long ball over the defense, and Klauss brought it down and finished cleanly.
The last goal, a volley off a flicked header from Timo Baumgartl, showed his calmness under pressure. That late goal didn’t just earn St. Louis a point—it highlighted Klauss’s knack for clutch moments.
Matchday 19 vs LA Galaxy (2025)
| Goal | Minute | Assist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 35’ | Hartel | 1-0 STL |
| 2nd | 47’ | Pompeu | 2-1 STL |
| 3rd | 90+5’ | Baumgartl | 3-3 Draw |
Player of the Matchday Honors
That performance got Klauss MLS Player of the Matchday honors for Matchday 19. It was actually the second time he’s won it—the first came in 2023 after a two-goal showing against Sporting Kansas City.
It’s not easy for a forward to land multiple weekly honors in MLS, with all the competition out there. His spot on the 2025 list put him up there with names like Lionel Messi and Marco Reus, which says a lot.
The award also reflected the fans’ voice, since voting came from both media and supporters. By winning it, Klauss really cemented his status as the club’s go-to attacking option.
Notable Goals and Performances
Beyond the LA Galaxy hat trick, Klauss has put up several big goals for St. Louis. In June 2025, he scored against Nashville SC, keeping his hot streak alive.
Earlier in MLS, he cracked double-digit goals in 2023, including a brace against Sporting Kansas City.
You can follow his progress by watching his finishing inside the box. He scores with both feet and his head, making him a tough mark for defenders.
Career MLS Totals (through mid-2025)
| Season | Goals | Assists | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 3 | 25 |
| 2024 | 5 | 2 | 21 |
| 2025* | 5 | 1 | 15 |
*2025 stats through Matchday 19
Contributions in the Western Conference
Klauss brings more than just moments—his goals in the Western Conference often mean crucial points. That stoppage-time equalizer against LA Galaxy saved a loss, and his strikes against Nashville and other rivals keep St. Louis in the playoff hunt.
You notice how defenses shift to deal with him. Opponents often tweak their back lines to track his movement, which opens up space for others.
As the club’s first designated player, Klauss has become the all-time leading scorer for St. Louis City SC with 20 regular-season goals.
His production has helped put the team on the map in just its second MLS season, giving the Western Conference another strong contender.
College Attended: Klauss didn’t play college soccer in the U.S.—he developed through Brazilian and European academies before coming to MLS.
Statistical Overview
You can measure João Klauss’s impact by checking his goal output, creative contributions, and how steady he’s been across matches.
His stats show how often he scores, how much time he spends on the field, and how he performs in both league and cup games.
Goals and Assists
Klauss plays as a center forward, so finishing chances is his bread and butter. Since joining St. Louis CITY SC in 2022, he’s been one of the team’s most reliable scorers.
In 2023, he knocked in 10 goals even though he missed time with injury. By 2024, he added 9 more league goals and kept improving his link-up play.
He chips in as a creator too. He’s not a high-assist striker, but he’s delivered key passes that set up teammates.
His ability to hold up play and get others involved makes him valuable beyond just scoring.
Sample Goal Contributions (MLS only):
| Season | Goals | Assists | Minutes per Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | 182 |
| 2024 | 9 | 3 | 195 |
This mix of scoring and assisting shows you a forward who can both finish and help drive the attack.
Appearances and Minutes Played
Being available matters as much as putting up numbers. Klauss has battled some injuries, but when he’s fit, he logs heavy minutes.
Over the 2023 and 2024 MLS seasons, he’s made more than 40 league appearances. His average playing time per match usually falls between 70 and 85 minutes, which shows the coaching staff counts on him as a starter.
You can see his durability get better as he’s settled into the league. He logged over 2,000 minutes in 2023 and nearly matched that in 2024.
For a striker in a physical league like MLS, that kind of workload says a lot about his fitness and the trust the coaches have in him.
Minutes Overview:
- 2023 MLS: 2,024 minutes
- 2024 MLS: 1,980 minutes
- Average per match: 74 minutes
Performance in Competitions
Klauss has played in both MLS regular season matches and cup competitions. He finds his best form in league play—he just keeps scoring there.
In the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, he made two appearances but didn’t find the net. His main focus and impact have landed squarely in MLS, where he’s really become CITY SC’s leading striker.
He’s also turned up in friendlies and preseason games, but honestly, those matches don’t say much about his long-term value. What really counts is how he performs in MLS, the toughest competition St. Louis faces.
You can see from his record that he delivers steady production in the league, even if his numbers in knockout competitions are a bit quieter. For St. Louis CITY SC, his reliability in MLS has been a key part of their attack.
If you want to dig into the details, check out his career stats on ESPN or his performance data on Transfermarkt.
Early Life and Youth Development
It’s pretty clear how a player’s early days shape his style and career. For João Klauss, everything started in Criciúma, then moved through Internacional, and later Juventude and Grêmio. Each stop brought something new to his growth as a Brazilian forward.
Beginnings in Criciúma, Brazil
Klauss was born in Criciúma, a city in southern Brazil where football is just part of daily life. Like most kids there, he grew up playing on local pitches, joining small-sided games, and soaking in the football culture.
He had a knack for positioning and finishing even before he joined an academy. Growing up in Criciúma meant he had to match his talent with real resilience, since the competition was always fierce.
Discipline comes early at this stage. Training before school, juggling studies, and staying fit just become part of the routine. These early years gave Klauss the base he needed to move up to professional youth academies.
Key Early Traits
- Natural finishing instincts
- Strong work ethic
- Early exposure to competitive football
Development at Internacional
When you land at Internacional’s academy, the bar gets higher. Internacional has a reputation for producing national team players and top talent for Europe. For Klauss, joining them meant better coaching and tougher competition.
At Internacional, coaches really focused on technical skills—first touch, off-ball movement, tactical awareness. Klauss had to adapt fast, especially when he played against older, stronger opponents.
The club also drilled professionalism into their players. Nutrition, recovery, and game prep became part of everyday life. That environment helped Klauss move from a talented kid in Criciúma to a forward ready to play abroad.
Training Focus at Internacional
| Area | Emphasis |
|---|---|
| Technical Skills | Ball control, finishing |
| Tactical Growth | Positioning, pressing |
| Physical Fitness | Strength, endurance |
Progression at Juventude and Grêmio
After Internacional, Klauss joined Juventude, another southern Brazilian club known for developing players. At Juventude, he finally got regular match experience and a chance to prove himself in youth leagues.
Those consistent minutes helped him sharpen his decision-making under pressure. Facing players his own age, he learned how to lead the attack and take on responsibility as a striker.
Later, Grêmio’s academy added another layer to his game. Grêmio is famous for technical polish and tactical discipline. Training there pushed him to blend physical strength with sharper ball control.
By moving through Juventude and Grêmio, Klauss built a well-rounded skill set. Those years clearly set him up for Europe, where he signed with Hoffenheim’s reserve team before bouncing around Finland, Austria, Belgium, and eventually St. Louis City SC.
European Club Experience
João Klauss’ path through Europe shows steady progress and plenty of learning. Each move—Germany, Finland, Austria, Belgium—brought challenges and more minutes, sharpening his finishing along the way. That journey gave him the foundation he now brings to Major League Soccer.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Hoffenheim II
Klauss left Brazil as a teenager and signed with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II in January 2017. Lutz Pfannenstiel, Hoffenheim’s Director of International Relations and Scouting at the time, spotted him and offered his first pro contract.
Those early years in Germany were all about development, not instant results. He played in the Regionalliga and had to adjust to the pace and structure of European football.
Hoffenheim promoted him to the first team in July 2020. He made 10 total appearances across competitions:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 4 | 0 |
| Europa League | 5 | 0 |
| DFB Cup | 1 | 0 |
He didn’t score, but going up against Bundesliga and Europa League opponents definitely added something to his game.
Loan to HJK and Veikkausliiga Success
In 2018, Hoffenheim sent Klauss on loan to HJK Helsinki in Finland. That season changed everything for him. He exploded in the Veikkausliiga, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals.
His goals helped HJK win the Finnish league title. That run gave Klauss real confidence that he could finish consistently in Europe.
He adapted quickly to the physical style and cold weather in Finland, which isn’t easy. For a young striker, leading the line like that proved he could handle responsibility.
Achievements with LASK
Next up was LASK Linz in Austria. Klauss kept climbing, netting 24 goals across all competitions in his first season.
He played in both domestic games and European matches, gaining valuable experience. LASK’s system demanded pressing and constant movement, and Klauss fit right in.
His production in Austria showed he was more than just a prospect. He became a reliable pro, able to carry a team in a tough league.
Stints at Sint-Truiden and Standard Liège
After Austria, Klauss landed in Belgium with Sint-Truiden on loan in 2022. The Belgian Pro League was another test, and he picked up steady minutes before his move to St. Louis CITY SC.
He also played for Standard Liège before Sint-Truiden, but injuries slowed him down there. These Belgian stops were less about stats and more about keeping sharp and staying fit.
Belgium gave him a taste of a different tactical approach. The league’s mix of technical and physical play helped prepare him for MLS, where he’s now St. Louis’s No. 9.
Just for context, Klauss played his youth football at Clube Juventude’s academy in Brazil before heading to Europe. Those basics grounded him before his journey abroad.
Recognition and Influence
João Klauss brings more than just goals to St. Louis City SC. His leadership, chemistry with teammates, and knack for creating chances make him a central figure for the club in Major League Soccer.
Leadership at St. Louis City SC
Klauss came through Brazil’s Internacional, then Europe, and later Hoffenheim, but he’s really grown into a leader at St. Louis City SC. As the team’s first designated player and all-time top scorer, he sets the standard for professionalism both on and off the pitch.
You can see his leadership when the team needs calm. His hat trick against LA Galaxy in June 2025, including a stoppage-time equalizer, showed he can handle pressure and deliver when it really matters.
Players look to him for direction during big moments. His experience in Germany, Finland, and Belgium gives him a broader view, which helps younger teammates adjust to MLS.
Influence on Team Dynamics
Klauss influences more than just the scoreline. His movement and positioning open up space, forcing defenders to react and giving midfielders more room to operate. St. Louis City SC often builds attacks through him as their focal point.
He draws defenders and creates lanes for wingers and mids, which keeps the attack unpredictable. His style encourages teammates to stay active in the final third because they know he can hold up play and distribute.
The connection between Klauss and the back line, especially with Timo Baumgartl, stands out. Quick passes from defense often find Klauss, who either turns toward goal or links up with midfielders to start an attack.
Key Partnerships and Assists
Klauss’ partnerships with his teammates matter just as much as his finishing. When he links up with Marcel Hartel and Célio Pompeu, you see goals that highlight his knack for combining, not just scoring.
He always seems to spot runners around him, which makes him a solid target man.
The June 2025 draw against LA Galaxy really showed this off. Baumgartl headed the ball right to Klauss, and Klauss volleyed it home in stoppage time.
That defender-forward connection totally changed the result. You can tell his chemistry with teammates goes well beyond just the front line.
Selected Contributions (2025 season, through Matchday 19):
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Hat tricks | 1 |
| Player of Matchday Awards | 1 |
You can see that he does more than a typical striker—he both scores and sets up others. Klauss influences big moments by mixing finishing, clever passes, and good timing with his teammates’ runs.
He keeps City SC right in the thick of close matches.
For more details on his career and stats, check out his player profile or the St. Louis City SC site.
