Notable Moments in St. Louis Soccer History
Hurleys vs. Hornets
One of the earliest recorded soccer matches in St. Louis takes place at Sportsman's Park on February 12th.
St. Louis League
One of the first organized soccer leagues in America is founded.
Association Football League
First major soccer league in St. Louis is founded.
St. Louis Soccer League
The first fully professional soccer league in the United States is founded.
1st US Open Cup Championship
Ben Millers defeats Fore River (MA) 2-1 in front of 12,000 spectators on May 9th at Handlan’s Park, St. Louis.
2nd US Open Cup Championship
Scullen Steel defeats Todd Shipyards (NY) 3-2 on March 19th.
3rd US Open Cup Championship
Stix, Baer and Fuller defeats New York Americans 3-1 (agg) on April 23rd.
4th US Open Cup Championship
Stix, Baer and Fuller goes back-to-back, defeating the Pawtucket Rangers 11-5 (agg) on April 16th.
5th US Open Cup Championship
New name, same result – St. Louis Central Breweries (formerly Stix, Baer and Fuller) wins their 3rd straight USOC, 7-6 (agg) over Pawtucket on May 12th.
6th US Open Cup Championship
St. Louis Simpkins-Ford defeats Brookhattan-Galicia (NY) 3-2 on October 17th.
The Women's League
The first Women’s soccer league in the United States, the Craig League, is founded in St. Louis, featuring 4 teams of approximately 70 women.
7th US Open Cup Championship
St. Louis Simpkins-Ford defeats Ponta Delgada SC (MA) 3-1 (agg) on May 7th.
The Boys From The Hill
The US Men’s National Team, featuring 5 starting players from St. Louis, defeat England 1-0 in the 1950 World Cup - the biggest upset in the history of the tournament - on June 29th.
8th US Open Cup Championship
St. Louis Kutis SC tops Ponta Delgada SC (MA) 3-1 (agg) on May 7th.
SLU Wins Their 1st NCAA Title
The Billiken Men top Bridgeport 5-2 on November 8th.
SLU Goes Back-to-Back
SLU wins a second consecutive NCAA title, 3-2 over Maryland on November 26th.
SLU Reclaims the Title
SLU wins their third NCAA title in 4 seasons by topping Maryland 4-3 on November 24th at Francis Field in St. Louis.
SLU Goes Back-to-Back Again
SLU’s dynasty continues with another NCAA Championship, this time 3-0 over Navy at Rutgers Stadium in New Jersey.
SLU Grabs #5
SLU tops Michigan State 1-0 on December 4th at Francis Field to win their 5th NCAA Championship.
The Stars Come Out
The St. Louis Stars, featuring a number of St. Louis locals including Pat McBride, begin play in the NASL.
A Co-Title For the Billikens
SLU and Michigan State are declared co-champions after inclement weather cancels the national title match on December 2nd.
SLU Begins Another Dynasty
SLU beats San Francisco 4-0 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on December 8th for title number seven.
Back-to-Back for #8
Playing on their archrival SIUE’s home field on December 5th, SLU defeats UCLA 1-0 to win their 8th championship.
The Hall of Fame
The St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame is established, recognizing St. Louis area players, coaches and those instrumental in the growth and promotion of the game in our area.
SIUE Tops DII
SIUE wins their first NCAA title, defeating Oneonta State in the Division II final on December 9th.
Double Digits for SLU
SLU outlasts UCLA 2-1 in overtime in another National Championship match to win their 10th NCAA crown.
Indoor Madness
The St. Louis Steamers begin play in the Major Indoor Soccer League, regularly outdrawing their St. Louis Arena cohabitants, the NHL’s St. Louis Blues.
USMNT at Busch
The US Men’s National team plays a CONCACAF Championship at Busch Stadium II against Trinidad & Tobago on May 16th.
9th US Open Cup Championship
St. Louis Kutis SC beats San Pedro Yugoslavs 1-0 at Soccer Park in Fenton.
10th US Open Cup Championship
St. Louis Busch Seniors downs Greek-American AC (CA) on June 25th.
Storm Warning
The folding of the Steamers in 1988 left a indoor soccer ball sized hole in the hearts of St. Louisans, which the St. Louis Storm attempted to fill after joining the MISL in ’89.
The Ambush Era Begins
The St. Louis Ambush begin play, making the playoffs in all but one year during their run from 1992-2000 and winning the NPSL title in 1995.
Steamers 2.0
Same name, different team, different leagues – the second iteration of the Steamers begin play in 1998 in the WISL before it merged into the MISL in 2003.
Athletica and the Rise of Women’s Soccer
St. Louis joins the growing women’s pro soccer scene with St. Louis Athletica, which lasted just one season and called Soccer Park home.
AC St. Louis
AC St. Louis joins the NASL Division II Pro League, lasting one season but spawning the St. Louligans, the biggest soccer Supporters Group in the area.
EPL at Busch
An friendly match between Premier League titans Chelsea and Manchester United draws a sellout crowd of 48,263 to Busch Stadium III.
"Indoor" Soccer
The largest crowd to ever see a soccer match in St. Louis, 54,184, watch Real Madrid and Inter Milan battle in a friendly at the Edward Jones Dome.
Saint Louis FC
Saint Louis FC joins the USL Championship and begins play on April 11th in front of a sellout crowd at Soccer Park.
MLS2THELOU
A majority female ownership group, led by Carolyn Kindle, announce their bid for a MLS expansion team on October 8th.
World Cup Qualifiers
The US Men’s National Team plays in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at Busch Stadium III, winning 6-1 over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in front of 43,333 spectators.
The Long Wait Ends
On August 20th, MLS announces that St. Louis had been awarded an expansion team, ending decades of frustration and failed attempts to secure a top level soccer team for the city.
CITY, red?
The team is officially announced as St. Louis CITY SC and reveals their trademark red/pink “CITY Red” primary color scheme on August 13th.
CITYPARK Opens
CITYPARK, the new home of CITY SC, located in the Downtown West district of St. Louis, hosts its first match November 16 on a frigid but memorable night. CITY2 falls to Bundesliga giants Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3-0.
Our CITY, Our Team
After a yearlong delay in starting MLS play in which they swapped start dates with Charlotte FC, CITY finally ushers in the MLS era to St. Louis with a 3-2 victory over Austin FC in Texas on February 25th.
CONCACAF Gold Cup
CITYPARK, the spectacular new home of St. Louis CITY SC, hosts two Gold Cup matches featuring Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the US Men’s National Team on June 28th.
MLS History
CITY finishes their inaugural season on October 21st with a 17-5-12 record, good for 56 points, becoming the first expansion franchise to win a regular season conference title.
Bürki Makes History
CITY Captain Roman Bürki wins MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award, the first individual award in club history. Bürki finishes 2023 with a 74.5% save percentage over 33 MLS starts.
Carnell Departs
Citing declining performance over the end of 2023 and into 2024, CITY parts ways with Bradley Carnell, the first manager in club history. He departs with a 22W-15D-25L record over 62 matches.
Mellberg Hired
CITY announces former Swedish international Olaf Mellberg as the second head coach in club history, taking over for interim coach John Hackworth.
"Battery Park"
St. Louis-area based Energizer Holdings, Inc. acquires the naming rights for CITYPARK, with Energizer Park becoming the new home of CITY SC.
Lady Bears Top DIII
Washington University claims its 2nd women's soccer national championship with a 3-0 win over William Smith College on December 8th, setting program records for wins, winning percentage, and unbreaken streak during the year.
Mellberg Dismissed
After a disastrous start to the 2025 season, including a 2W-5D-8L record in MLS play and a disappointing early exit in the US Open Cup, Olof Mellberg is dismissed as CITY’s head coach on May 27th.
Guatemala Invades
The Gold Cup Semifinal match turns Energizer Park into Guatemala City North, with a raucous crowd watching the U.S. Men's National team hold on to defeat Los Chapines 2-1 on July 2nd.
Lutz Out
The Lutz Pfannenstiel era ends in St. Louis on August 25th, as CITY parts ways with their Sporting Director after 2 straight disappointing seasons, including going through 4 coaches in 2 years and the flamout of Olof Mellberg earlier in 2025.
Wray Hired As CITY SC Sporting Director
Corey Wray is hired as the 2nd Sporting Director in the club's history on November 3rd. Wray had previously worked for CF Montréal, Columbus Crew, and Toronto FC in various front office and player development positions both in MLS and MLS Next Pro.
WashU Women Go Back-to-Back
WashU defeats Emory University to win their second straight Division III National Championship in coach Jim Conlan's 500th career win.
Damet Named CITY Head Coach
35 year old Yoann Damet, formerly an assistant in Columbus under Wilfried Nancy, is named as the third fulltime head coach in club history.