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City SC coach Olof Mellberg had Baumgartl, a center back by nature, play forward as the team scrambled to find a tying goal in the dying minutes against Austin FC.

“We wanted to bring more physique in the box,� Mellberg said Sunday. “I didn’t think we managed to put enough balls in the box to get the most out of him and Klauss there. But yeah, that was the purpose, to get more physique and another player for the crosses and the longer ball.�

Baumgartl didn’t get a goal, but he was the second most dangerous attacker for City SC in the game. He took two shots, putting one on goal, after coming in in the 85th minute for an injured Jannes Horn, and his expected goals total, .12, was better than all but one teammate. It was, Baumgartl said Wednesday, the first time he had played the position in a game.

“They saw me finishing, that’s why,� he joked. “If (Mellberg) needs me there, I do it.�

Baumgartl may never have played forward in a game, but as a center back, he’s familiar with what the role demands and tried to put a career’s worth of experiences to work.

“I play now 12, 13 years of professional football in the highest level, so I know how strikers move,� he said.

But isn’t it difficult to actually do it?

“Exactly, especially with the offside. That’s difficult. But I played with some good strikers together, like (German international) Mario Gomez. He always said, give one touch and shoot, and that’s what I tried. Obviously I know it wasn’t the best shot, but yeah, I tried my best.�

Baumgartl was expecting more than this when he came to St. Louis from Germany. He was signed to add some depth at the center back position and was seen as part of a three center back formation that featured him, Henry Kessler and Joakim Nilsson. Mellberg has cited Baumgartl’s long layoff since he last played regularly and a need to get playing time to get in game shape. Baumgartl has appeared in just two of the team’s first six games, playing just 13 minutes.

“Of course, it’s not what I want,� Baumgartl said. “I was coming here for playing time. That was the clear plan. But in fact, I’m a professional, so every decision I have to accept, I accept that. But of course, I have the feeling I can help the team, but it’s always a decision of the coach, and if he decides I should not play, I don’t play. That’s part of the sport. I’m always a guy supporting my teammates, and that’s important for me, because football is actually a team sport, so we need to support each other, no matter which role the coach has at the moment for me. So at the moment, it’s that role. So I need to train hard, convince him the opposite, because that’s the only way I can do but, yeah, I’m not satisfied with this role, that’s for sure.�

To get some of that game time he needs, Baumgartl volunteered to play a game with City2, the club’s MLS Next Pro development team, and he played 90 minutes at center back two weeks ago.

“I said, hey guys, look, I didn’t play that long, so give me minutes on the second team,� he said. “It was my decision, which is also not normal, at 29 to say, ‘I’ll go to the second team.’ But I said, like, look, these guys are playing good tactical soccer. They have a plan that’s nice to see. Then I go there for minutes and I’m feeling game ready. I always said that, but it’s a decision of the coach. And if he decides this way, I need to figure it out what I can do that he decides the other way.�

Durkin to miss Saturday

Fixing the challenges facing City SC’s offense may have some added layers of difficulty.

While forward Cedric Teuchert was back on the practice field after missing Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, two of the team’s starting midfielders were absent. Defensive midfielder Chris Durkin, who left the game in the 61st minute after getting banged up several times in the game, is expected to miss Saturday’s game at Sporting Kansas City with a knee injury. Durkin was still being examined Tuesday as to the severity of the injury.

Also gone was playmaker Eduard Lowen, who was excused from the team last week for personal reasons and was not back when the team resumed training Wednesday. It is still uncertain when Lowen could return, though his absence Wednesday casts doubts on his availability Saturday. A fuller update is expected Thursday when Mellberg meets with the media. Horn was also absent from practice.

With Durkin out, Miguel Perez, who has been training exclusively with City2, joined the team at practice, along with two other City2 players, forward Emil Jaaskelainen and midfielder Cam Cilley.