St. Louis is a soccer city through and through. Its first national soccer title came in 1920, when the Ben Millers factory team became the first group outside of New England to lift the U.S. Open Cup. When the United States shocked the world by beating England in the 1950 World Cup, five members of the team’s starting 11 hailed from St. Louis.
It’s no surprise, then, that St. Louis City SC — this years MLS debutants — have received vociferous support from the St. Louis faithful. What is surprising is just how well St. Louis has represented itself on the field. MLS debutants often struggle in their debut seasons as they get to know themselves and the league. But St. Louis is cruising into the MLS All-Star break in first place in the West, with the best goal difference in MLS by far.
St. Louis isn’t operating like a brand-new club. St. Louis is operating like the soccer powerhouse it’s been since the 1920s.
