St. Louis City SC

St. Louis City SC's History

St. Louis City SC is the newest Major League Soccer (MLS) team, began to play in 2023. The team is owned by Carolyn Kindle Betz, the President of Enterprise Holdings Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the car rental company Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

The history of professional soccer in St. Louis dates back to the early 1900s, when the city was a hotbed for the sport. The St. Louis Soccer League was formed in 1907 and saw great success, with teams such as St. Leo’s and Ben Millers competing at a high level. In the 1920s and 1930s, St. Louis was home to some of the best soccer players in the country, and the city’s teams were dominant in national competitions.

In the 1950s, St. Louis became one of the founding cities of the National Professional Soccer League, which later merged with the United Soccer Association to form the North American Soccer League (NASL). The St. Louis Stars were a prominent team in the NASL, winning the championship in 1970 and reaching the final in 1972.

After the NASL folded in the 1980s, soccer in St. Louis was relegated to lower-level leagues. However, the city’s passion for the sport never waned, and there have been various efforts over the years to bring professional soccer back to St. Louis.

In 2016, Major League Soccer announced that it would be expanding to 28 teams, and that St. Louis was being considered as a potential location for a new team. In 2019, after several years of planning and negotiations, it was announced that St. Louis would indeed be getting an MLS team.

St. Louis City SC will play their home games at the new St. Louis MLS stadium, which is currently under construction. The stadium, which is being built in the Downtown West neighborhood, will have a capacity of around 22,500 fans.

One of the most exciting aspects of St. Louis City SC is the team’s commitment to community involvement. The team has partnered with various organizations to promote soccer and provide opportunities for young people in the St. Louis area. They have also made a point to hire local talent, including former St. Louis University Men’s Soccer coach Mike McGinty as their Chief Talent Officer.

As the inaugural season approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see St. Louis City SC take the field. Tickets for the team’s first season are sure to be in high demand, as soccer fans in St. Louis have been waiting for a top-level team to call their own for decades.

In addition to the excitement of the on-field action, attending a live St. Louis City SC game will provide fans with a unique experience. The team’s new stadium is being designed with the fan experience in mind, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and a variety of food and beverage options.

Overall, St. Louis City SC represents a new era for soccer in St. Louis. The team’s commitment to the community, along with their talented roster and promising prospects for success on the field, make them an exciting addition to the MLS. Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or just looking for a fun and unique live sports experience, St. Louis City SC is sure to deliver.

More About St. Louis City SC

The team's ownership group, led by Carolyn Kindle Betz, is committed to building a world-class soccer organization that will have a positive impact on the St. Louis community. They have made significant investments in the team's facilities, coaching staff, and player development in order to ensure that the team is ready to compete at the highest level.

One of the most exciting moments for St. Louis City SC came in August of 2020 when they announced the hiring of Lutz Pfannenstiel as the team's sporting director. Pfannenstiel is a world-renowned football expert who has worked in several different countries and has a wealth of experience in player development, scouting, and team management. His hiring signaled a clear intention by the team's ownership to build a winning team that can compete for championships.

Another highlight for the team came in November of 2020 when they revealed the design for their new soccer-specific stadium. The stadium will be located in the heart of downtown St. Louis and will have a seating capacity of up to 22,500. The stadium will also feature state-of-the-art amenities and will be a major attraction for soccer fans in the region.