St. Louis Professional Soccer History: From Early Leagues to Modern Eras
St. Louis has long been a cornerstone of American soccer, fostering a rich tradition of professional play that spans over a century. From the early days of fully professional regional leagues to the high-energy era of indoor soccer and the rise of women's professional sports, the city has consistently served as a hub for athletic talent and passionate fandom.
The Early Era: St. Louis Soccer League (1907–1939)
Founded in 1907, the St. Louis Soccer League (SLSL) stood as the only fully professional soccer league in the United States during its tenure. For seven years, a squad known as St. Leo's dominated the standings, establishing the city as a powerhouse of the sport.
While most teams focused on local competitions before 1914, the league gained national prominence in 1913 when St. Leo's tied the Paterson True Blues, the winners of the American Cup—which served as the de facto championship of the East Coast at the time.
The landscape shifted in 1914 with the creation of the National Challenge Cup by the United States Football Association. When St. Louis teams entered in 1918, the competition became truly national. After initial struggles against teams from Chicago and Cleveland, the Ben Millers made history in 1920 by defeating Fore River to become the first club from outside the Northeast to win the cup. The SLSL continued its dominance, reaching the finals in 1922, 1926, 1929, and every season from 1932 to 1939.
During the 1930s, Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C. emerged as a dominant force, reaching six consecutive National Challenge Cup finals from 1932 to 1937 and securing titles in 1933, 1934, and 1935. However, internal strife and lawsuits regarding player tampering eventually led to the league's dissolution in 1939.
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The Rise of Outdoor and Indoor Professionalism
The North American Soccer League (NASL) Era
From 1967 to 1977, the St. Louis Stars competed in the North American Soccer League. Unlike many of their NASL peers who relied heavily on foreign imports, the Stars were distinguished by their high concentration of American players, many of whom were local to the St. Louis area. The franchise eventually relocated to Anaheim in 1978, rebranding as the California Surf.
The Indoor Soccer Boom: Steamers, Storm, and Ambush
The late 1970s and 80s saw a surge in indoor soccer popularity. The St. Louis Steamers joined the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) on July 31, 1979. Their home opener on December 14, 1979, at the St. Louis Arena attracted over 18,000 fans, driven largely by a roster featuring local talent.
The Steamers became a cultural phenomenon, averaging over 12,000 fans per game from 1980–81 to 1984–85. Their peak occurred during the 1981–82 season with an average attendance of 17,107, including a single-game high of 19,298 against the Denver Avalanche. Remarkably, the Steamers outdrew the NHL's St. Louis Blues for four consecutive seasons (1980–81 through 1983–84). On the pitch, they won two straight division titles in 1981–82 and reached the MISL Championship finals, losing a five-game series to New York. The original Steamers folded after the 1987–88 season.
Following the Steamers, the St. Louis Storm played in the MISL from 1989 to 1992. They were succeeded by the St. Louis Ambush, who played in the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) from 1992 to 2000. Originally founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Ambush became a consistent playoff contender in St. Louis, winning the NPSL championship in the 1994–95 season by defeating the Harrisburg Heat.
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Modern Eras and Women's Professional Soccer
The city saw a revival of the Steamers name between 1998 and 2006, playing first in the World Indoor Soccer League (WISL) and later in the MISL following a league merger in 2002.
In 2008, Jeff Cooper founded Saint Louis Athletica, which competed in Women's Professional Soccer from 2009 to 2010. The team played at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville before moving to Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri. The club folded in May 2010 due to a loss of funding from English owners.
Cooper also established AC St. Louis, which played a single season in 2010 in the NASL Conference of the Division II Pro League. Coached initially by Claude Anelka, the team played at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park. Despite plans to join the new North American Soccer League in 2011, the club folded in January 2011 after financial backing from the USSF ceased.
More recently, in May 2014, the USL Pro league (now the Division II USL Championship) announced an expansion franchise that began play in 2015 at the St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton.
Key Facts
- First National Success: The Ben Millers were the first club outside the Northeast to win the National Challenge Cup in 1920.
- Attendance Peak: The St. Louis Steamers averaged 17,107 fans per game in 1981–82, outdrawing the St. Louis Blues for four straight seasons.
- Indoor Dominance: The St. Louis Ambush won the NPSL championship in the 1994–95 season.
- Early Professionalism: The St. Louis Soccer League (1907–1939) was the only fully professional league of its time in the U.S.
| Team Name | League | Active Years | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Soccer League | SLSL | 1907–1939 | First fully professional U.S. league |
| St. Louis Stars | NASL | 1967–1977 | High concentration of American players |
| St. Louis Steamers | MISL | 1979–1988 | Outdrew NHL's St. Louis Blues (1980–84) |
| St. Louis Ambush | NPSL | 1992–2000 | 1994–95 NPSL Champions |
| Saint Louis Athletica | WPS | 2009–2010 | Pioneering women's professional soccer |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which St. Louis team was the first to win the National Challenge Cup?
The Ben Millers were the first club from outside the Northeast to win the cup in 1920, defeating Fore River.
Why did the St. Louis Soccer League dissolve in 1939?
The league suffered from internal strife, specifically lawsuits between teams regarding player tampering.
How did the St. Louis Stars differ from other NASL teams?
The Stars were known for utilizing a high number of American players, particularly those from the St. Louis area, whereas other teams relied more on foreign players.
What was the peak attendance for the St. Louis Steamers?
The Steamers reached their peak during the 1981–82 season, averaging 17,107 fans per game, with a single-match high of 19,298 against the Denver Avalanche.
What happened to AC St. Louis?
After playing one season in 2010, the club folded in January 2011 because the USSF stopped backing its finances and no new owners were found.