In Our History - In Our Blood
The history of soccer in St. Louis is about more than just one club, one community, or one culture. It's a deeply ingrained passion and love for the game that has existed for over a century. From the earliest days of the sport in the United States to the newest club in MLS, St. Louis has been and will continue to be the epicenter of soccer in this country. Names like Al Trost, Harry and Ty Keough, Bob Guelker, Bobby Kehoe, Bob Hermann, Frank Borghi, Bill McDermott, Becky Sauerbrunn, Lori Chalupny, Taylor Twellman, Brad Davis, and Pat McBride and many, many more have helped shape soccer culture in America for generations - and current players like Tim Ream and Josh Sargent are continuing to inspire the next wave of soccer players in St. Louis.
The Metro St. Louis Area is home to 29 US National Soccer Hall of Fame members, 76 US Men's National Team members, multiple US Women's team members and Women's World Cup Champions , 10 US Open Cup Titles, 12 National Amateur Cup titles, 11 NCAA Division I Men's National Championships, 2 NCAA Division II Men's National Championships, and 1 Women's Division III National Championship, and 6 members of the legendary 1950 US Men's World Cup team that defeated England 1-0. St. Louis is also home to 3 of the top 10 winningest boys' high school soccer coaches in history, including 9 time state champion Terry Michler of CBC High School - the all-time national leader in wins.
The Hermann Trophy, presented to the top men's and women's Division I collegiate soccer players in the nation each year, has been presented by the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis since 1986. The The St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame has recognized local achievement in the sport since 1971. Soccer in America has deep roots in St. Louis and the influence our city has on the game is still impacting soccer in America today.
- St. Louis Shamrocks (1897-1908)
- St. Leo's (1903-1918)
- Innisfails (1907-1921)
- St. Teresa FC (1907-1915)
- Ben Millers (1913-1936)
- St. Louis Screw (1918-1922)
- St. Louis Scullin Steel FC (1918-1925)
- St. Louis Vesper Buick (1922-1926)
- Ratican's (1924-1927)
- Tablers (1927-1931)
- St. Louis Madison Kennel (1928-1930)
- Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C. et al. (1929-1937)
- Hellrung & Grimm (1929-31, 1934-1936)
- Burke's Undertakers (1935-1936)
- St. Matthew's (1937-1938)
- St. Louis Raiders (1947-1952)
- St. Louis Simpkins-Ford (1947-1956)
- St. Louis Kutis (1952-Present)
- St. Louis Busch Seniors
- St. Louis Stars, NASL (1966-1977)
- St. Louis Frogs, USSFA (1972)
- St. Louis Steamers, MISL (1979-1988)
- St. Louis Storm, MISL (1989-1992)
- St. Louis Ambush, NPSL (1992-2000)
- St. Louis Knights, USISL (1994-1995)
- St. Louis Steamers, WISL/MISL (1998-2006)
- St. Louis Strikers, PDL (2003-2004)
- St. Louis Archers/River Cities FC, WPSL (2004-2007)
- FC St. Louis, WPSL (2006-2008)
- St. Louis Lions, USL (2006-2023)
- St. Louis Illusion, PASL (2008-2010)
- St. Louis Athletica, WPS (2009-2010)
- AC St. Louis, NASL (2010)
- Saint Louis FC, USL-C (2014-2020)
- St. Louis Ambush, MISL/MASL (2013 - Present)
- Club Atletico St. Louis, NPSL (2018-Present)
- St. Louis CITY SC, MLS (2019 - Present)
- St. Louis CITY SC 2, MLS Next Pro (2021 - Present)
Want to know more? Follow those who follow the game.
One of the preeminent voices on soccer in St. Louis. Mr. Lange is the author of Soccer Made in St. Louis: A History of the Game in America's First Soccer Capital, the definitive book on the sport in our city. Dave also recently published a book on St. Louis CITY SC's inaugural season, Year One: St. Louis CITY SC. Often called on for his expertise, insight, and historical perspective on the game in our city, Dave often travels around the area and speaks about the history of soccer in St. Louis. You can learn more about Dave and the history of the game here at his website, soccermadeinstlouis.com.
St. Louis Soccer Tracker
"One of us" isn't just a slogan for St. Louis Soccer Tracker, the best way to stay informed about local games, players, and former pros who are from, or played in, St. Louis. Brian and David Simpson's site is an invaluable resource to know who is playing, where, when and how to watch. In addition, David Simpson organizes STL Pickup Soccer, a resource for people in the St. Louis area looking for pickup games and people to play soccer with.
A Tribute to Steve "Ole" Olson
If there was a soccer match in the St. Louis area, there's a pretty good chance that Mr. Olson was there to document it. Steve was the original collator/compiler of soccer information in St. Louis though his site STLSoccer.net. STLSoccerNews is in many ways a tribute to him and everything he meant to the game in our city, especially youth soccer. He was recognized as a Champion of the Game by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association in 2016. Although sadly Steve is no longer with us, his passion for the game, impact on people, and overall contribution to soccer in St. Louis will always be remembered.
