St. Louis City SC: Building a Legacy in the Gateway to Soccer

St. Louis City SC: Building a Legacy in the Gateway to Soccer

When St. Louis City SC took the field in Major League Soccer for the first time in 2023, it wasn’t just another expansion story. It was a culmination of over a century of soccer culture in the city widely considered “America’s first soccer capital.” Unlike many new MLS teams that need to cultivate a fan base, St. Louis entered the league with deep roots. Generations of families in the city have played, supported, and lived soccer—St. Louis high schools and colleges have produced a disproportionate number of U.S. national team players over the decades. The city’s love affair with the sport dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when immigrant communities brought their passion for the game to the Midwest.

The bid for an MLS team was long anticipated. Previous efforts to bring top-flight soccer to St. Louis stalled, but persistence paid off. In 2019, the league officially awarded the city an expansion franchise, and by 2023, St. Louis City SC debuted in spectacular fashion. What made the launch unique was the identity of the club itself: a fully integrated approach that centered on community, inclusion, and innovation. Unlike many other MLS teams, St. Louis City SC is majority female-owned—led by Carolyn Kindle, who became the first female majority owner in MLS history. That fact alone was historic, but it also set the tone for a team intent on breaking molds.

St. Louis’ inaugural season stunned even the most optimistic supporters. The club not only competed, but dominated stretches of the year, finishing first in the Western Conference in its debut campaign—an unprecedented feat in MLS. The high-intensity style under head coach Bradley Carnell, paired with clever signings from abroad and faith in overlooked players, created one of the most compelling narratives in the league.

Trivia: St. Louis has such deep soccer roots that during the 1950 World Cup, five of the U.S. players who famously defeated England 1-0 in Brazil were from St. Louis.

St. Louis City SC: Rivalries

Despite being one of the league’s newest clubs, St. Louis City SC wasted no time establishing rivalries. The most natural, of course, is with Sporting Kansas City. The two cities are separated by less than four hours on I-70, and their histories already intersect across sports, from baseball to football. Branded as the “I-70 Derby,” this rivalry crackled with intensity from the very first meeting. Fans immediately bought in, with packed stadiums, traveling supporters, and a true animosity born from geographic pride.

Another rivalry forming is with Chicago Fire FC, owing to regional proximity and St. Louis’ historical ties to Illinois soccer. Games against Nashville SC also carry significance, especially as Nashville and St. Louis have both positioned themselves as Southern/Midwestern hubs for soccer culture in MLS.

Perhaps the most exciting element is how quickly rivalries are developing. St. Louis’ instant success in 2023 means every Western Conference contender views them as a threat. Matches against LAFC, Seattle, and Portland have already carried a heightened sense of importance. And as St. Louis grows, expect even more heated encounters.

Trivia: Supporters began labeling the rivalry with Sporting Kansas City the “Soccer Capital Derby,” playing off St. Louis’ historical reputation as America’s soccer hub.

St. Louis City SC: Ownership

St. Louis City SC’s ownership is unique in MLS. The club is led by Carolyn Kindle, granddaughter of the late Enterprise Rent-A-Car founder Jack Taylor. She and her family became central figures in making the expansion bid successful. Their leadership is not only financially strong but also symbolically powerful, as Carolyn Kindle became the league’s first female majority owner.

The ownership group placed an emphasis on community involvement from the outset. Rather than merely focusing on building a team, they invested in an entirely new district in downtown St. Louis, centered around CITYPARK stadium. The approach tied the club’s identity to the revival of the city’s urban core, reinforcing its commitment to being more than just a soccer team.

Unlike ownerships that import big-name stars as a way of quickly establishing credibility, St. Louis’ group leaned on developing infrastructure and creating a culture of sustainability. This strategy mirrors successful European models, where long-term vision often matters more than short-term spectacle.

Trivia: The ownership’s decision to style the club’s name as “CITY SC” (with CITY in all caps) was meant to emphasize unity, community pride, and the idea of St. Louis as a collective rather than just a franchise.

Watch St. Louis City SC

The centerpiece of St. Louis City SC’s project is CITYPARK, a purpose-built, soccer-specific stadium located in the heart of downtown St. Louis. With a capacity of 22,500, the stadium is considered one of the most modern and fan-friendly venues in North America. Opened in 2023, CITYPARK has been praised for its architectural design, atmosphere, and integration into the urban fabric of the city.

What makes CITYPARK stand out is its immersive design. Every seat is within 120 feet of the pitch, creating a closeness and intensity unmatched by many larger venues. The steep stands and canopy roof ensure that noise reverberates, turning matches into electric spectacles. The supporters’ section, known as the “St. Louligans,” occupies the north end and has quickly developed a reputation for being one of the loudest and most passionate groups in MLS.

Beyond the stadium itself, the ownership constructed a full district around CITYPARK, including the team’s headquarters, training facilities, and community spaces. This integration means the team isn’t isolated from the city but embedded in its very core.

Trivia: CITYPARK is the first MLS stadium to have an entire stadium district built and funded privately, with no public money used for construction.

St. Louis City SC: This Season

Following a record-breaking debut season in 2023, the 2025 campaign has been a test of consistency for St. Louis City SC. Expectations are higher now, as the club is no longer an underdog but a Western Conference powerhouse. Under head coach Bradley Carnell, St. Louis continues to employ a high-energy, pressing style reminiscent of Red Bull clubs worldwide, but with its own tactical wrinkles.

Key players include captain and midfielder Eduard Löwen, who has become the heartbeat of the side, and striker João Klauss, whose goalscoring ability anchors the attack. Defender Tim Parker provides veteran leadership at the back, while goalkeeper Roman Bürki—formerly of Borussia Dortmund—has emerged as one of the best keepers in the league, even winning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023.

The academy pipeline is also beginning to bear fruit. With St. Louis’ rich youth soccer history, the club has emphasized local development, ensuring that the team reflects the city’s grassroots soccer culture. This season, several homegrown players have begun to feature more prominently, signaling a future where St. Louis could supply not just MLS talent but also U.S. national team contributors.

Trivia: Roman Bürki, St. Louis’ captain and goalkeeper, was the first Designated Player goalkeeper in MLS history, highlighting the club’s willingness to build its spine from the back.

St. Louis City SC: What to Follow

The coming years will define St. Louis City SC’s trajectory. The immediate storyline is whether the club can sustain success in MLS’s notoriously unpredictable landscape. Can they avoid the dreaded “sophomore slump” that plagues many new teams? Will they continue to punch above their weight in the Western Conference?

Another major thread is player development. St. Louis is uniquely positioned to become MLS’s leader in homegrown production, given the city’s history of producing elite players. How the academy integrates into the first team will be crucial. Fans should also watch for future Designated Player signings. While St. Louis has avoided splashing on massive global stars so far, it is likely only a matter of time before they balance their hardworking core with one or two marquee names.

The rivalry storylines are equally compelling. Matches against Sporting Kansas City will continue to fuel fan passion, while new rivalries with Nashville, Chicago, and Western heavyweights will grow as the team consistently contends.

Trivia: In their debut match in 2023, St. Louis City SC defeated Austin FC 3-2, becoming the first MLS expansion team to win its opening game on the road since 2011. That victory set the tone for their remarkable season.

St. Louis City SC is not just another MLS expansion team. It is a club rooted in deep history, backed by visionary ownership, and powered by one of the most passionate soccer communities in the United States. In less than three years, it has already set new standards for how expansion franchises can succeed—on and off the field.

With CITYPARK as its fortress, a playing style that excites fans, and a commitment to developing local talent, the team has all the ingredients to become an MLS giant. For St. Louis, this isn’t the beginning of a soccer story—it’s the continuation of one that started over a century ago.