St. Louis Soccer United is energized and enthused by the overwhelming response we have received supporting our efforts to bring an MLS team to the area and to build a new soccer specific stadium as part of a larger mixed-use development. The ground swell of support from soccer fans has been reaffirmed and further validated by noted soccer luminaries in St. Louis and across the nation, by knowledgeable sports writers, and by members of the St. Louis business community.

The testimonials we have received truly illustrate that this is indeed “Soccer Town USA”, that St. Louis is a place that MLS needs to be, and that what we have set out to do will succeed. We are very grateful for their backing.

Brian McBride
Former member of the U.S. Men's National Team - 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cup
Forward, Fulham FC (England's Premier League)

“St. Louis’ great soccer tradition alone speaks volumes as to why the city deserves an MLS Team. But even more important, in my mind, is how passionate every soccer fan in St. Louis is about the sport.  Can you imagine if St. Louis had its own team to support?  It would be amazing.  To the decision makers, you couldn't pick a better city in which to expand.”

Pat Noonan
Former New England Revolution Forward

"St. Louis would be a great venue for an MLS team for many different reasons. I think the #1 reason is the amazing fan base they have. There is no question in my mind that an MLS team in St. Louis would draw well."

"It is a huge soccer community with many great youth teams as well as a very competitive high school atmosphere. People in St. Louis take soccer very seriously and would stand behind their MLS team through thick and thin."

Fernando Clavijo
Head Coach of the Colorado Rapids
Former St. Louis Storm Player

"Having played professionally in St. Louis, I know what a great soccer town it is. The community support for the sport of soccer is there from the youth teams all the way up to adults, who support it tremendously.”
 

“With all the historical aspects of soccer and the roots of the game in St. Louis, I think it's a city that deserves to have a team playing at the highest level."

Pat Leahy
Former New York Jets Kicker
Three-Time Men's Soccer National Champion at Saint Louis University

"One glaring omission on the MLS resume is the fact that St. Louis does not have a team. History can be our greatest teacher. From the 1950 World Cup squad, to the dominance of college soccer at all levels throughout the 60's and 70's, to the many local players that fill the MLS and National Team rosters today, St. Louis has always been at the forefront of soccer in the United States.  There is no reason to think that St. Louis would not be successful as an MLS city."

Steve Pecher
Director of St. Louis Soccer Club

"Being involved with soccer on the amateur and professional level in St Louis I know the community would be 100% behind the franchise. I look forward to the day when we can watch the MLS and all their talented players in person."

Dan Counce
Former GM of the Colorado Rapids
Former Saint Louis University Player 

"The St. Louis area has always had an intense emotional connection to the sport of soccer. There is no community in the country that has more respect and appreciation for American Soccer and the American Soccer Player than St. Louis. With a rich history, tradition, knowledge and a genuine love of the game St. Louis is a natural. Major League Soccer and the St. Louis Soccer Fan are a perfect fit. I can't wait."

Carl Gentile
National Soccer Hall of Fame Member
Former All-American at Saint Louis University 

“Everyone outside of St. Louis realizes the competitive spirit that our teams' display when they play a St. Louis team. The talent-base is as good as anywhere in the country. There are currently nine players who are natives of St. Louis displaying successfully their talents throughout the MLS. All the more reason to be associated with this boom in the sport we passionately love.”

Tony Meola
Former Goalkeeper for the U.S. Men’s National Team - 1990 and 1994 World Cup

“St. Louis has such a soccer tradition and it has developed players throughout the history of soccer in this country so I am shocked St. Louis doesn’t already have an MLS team.”

“St. Louis for me personally was part of the beginning stages of preparing me for the rest of my career. I have a lot of fond memories of playing World Cup qualifying games in the St. Louis area.”

Tab Ramos
Former member of the U.S. Men’s National Team  - 1990 and 1994 World Cup

“St. Louis is considered among national team members the birth place of soccer in the United States.  The first time the national team ever sold out a stadium was in St. Louis. When the bus pulled into the parking lot we saw a sign saying ‘no more tickets available.’ That was really special for us.”

“When the MLS started I can recall thinking why isn’t there a team in St. Louis?  The day that a St. Louis team is announced is the day the MLS brings to itself a lot of tradition and history.”

Alexi Lalas
General Manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy
Former United States Men’s National Team Member

“St. Louis certainly has a great soccer history, but the present is what we should focus on. A knowledgeable and passionate fan base, high-quality youth soccer programs, supportive local businesses and political leaders, and robust ethnic communities are what will enable an MLS team to succeed in St. Louis.”

Mark Santel
Regional Ambassador for Major League Soccer
Former All-American at Saint Louis University
Former United States Men’s National Team member
Former Player with the Dallas Burn and Kansas City Wizards

“As MLS continues to grow and stabilize, the addition of the St. Louis market and its tremendous soccer history will help the sport make additional strides towards finally becoming a part of American culture and a permanent fixture on the landscape of professional sports in this country.”

 

John Harkes
Assistant Coach, New York Red Bulls
Member of the 1994 United Stated World Cup Team

“St. Louis has been fantastic to me. It is a soccer hotbed. It was always a well supported and very popular endeavor whenever I played there.”
 
“I am so happy St. Louis is pursuing this and I would welcome them with open arms into the league.”

 

Tommy Smyth
ESPN Soccer Commentator

“St. Louis has always been good to soccer in the USA. I am sure it would make a great home for an MLS team. People in the area are thirsting for a top class soccer team, if they are that interested I say go for it.”

 

Schellas Hyndmann
Head Coach of the SMU Mustangs

“St. Louis will be good for the MLS because of its rich history and tradition of soccer at all levels.  The fans of St. Louis are all hungry to support Major League Soccer and  are very passionate and anxious to have a team.”
 
“St. Louis has one of the best youth and adult soccer programs anywhere in our country. The players in these programs have a desire to continue to follow their sport at the professional level.”

 

Stephen Baumann
President National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum

"St. Louis has played a critical role in the growth of soccer in America. From the early 1900's to today, St. Louis players and administrators have excelled at the highest levels of the sport. From Harry Keough to Denny Long to Al Trost there is not an era of American soccer that doesn't count St. Louisans among its most accomplished contributors."

 

Marcelo Balboa
Former United States National Team Member
ESPN/ABC commentator

“Back in the early 1990’s St. Louis was the place to be if you wanted to see soccer. We played many of our US National Team games there. This wonderful tradition of soccer has developed a huge fan base, one that would embrace a new MLS team. I can think of no better place than St. Louis for the next MLS franchise.”

Lori Chalupny
United States Women's National Team Member
Former North Carolina Tarheel
Former Four-Year Varsity Starter and Two-Time All-American at Nerinx Hall

"I'm so excited for St. Louis to be in consideration for an MLS team. St. Louis is a true soccer town and the people here have proven that they love this game. The city has done so much to help me get to where I am and I'm sure they will come out in large numbers to support an MLS team."

 

Tim Ward
Colorado Rapids Defender
Former St. Louis University Billiken

“St. Louis would be a good place for an MLS franchise because of the soccer community. I could tell even in college that the fans were supportive and had a great love for the game.”

 

Harry Keough
Member of the 1950 United States World Cup Team
Former Head Coach at Saint Louis University

“I think there are a lot of soccer fans looking for soccer on that level to return to St. Louis.”

 

Frank Simek
Right Back, Sheffield Wednesday; Former Arsenal Player
Current United States Men’s National Team Member
Former SLUH player
Millstadt, Ill. Native

“St. Louis is a great soccer city. When I played in the Missouri state final for SLUH at the Soccer Park it was packed, so obviously the sport has fans here and that game to this day is one of my biggest soccer memories. St. Louis produces great players as well. It’s a city that deserves a team.”

Ty Keough
Former US National Team Member
ABC/ESPN Color Analyst for four World Cups
Washington University Soccer Coach for 10 years

"Lamar Hunt really wanted a franchise in St. Louis so he would have some automatic rivalries with Kansas City, Chicago, Dallas, and Columbus. The visionary that Lamar Hunt was saw the value of being in St. Louis about a decade ago."

Eric Wynalda
Color Analyst, ESPN

"It would be a travesty if this league did not figure out how to put a franchise in the great city of St. Louis."

"If Major League Soccer is going to do this right, St. Louis must have a team because of its remarkable history and its potential for growth."  

Mike Sorber
Assistant Coach United States Men's National Team
Former U.S. Men's National Team Member

"The rich tradition and history of soccer in St. Louis has influenced and been a catalyst for the growth of the sport in the United States."

"You have a lot of people here that have played in World Cups and helped this sport develop, help promote it, and help make soccer in the United States what it is today." 

Taylor Twellman
New England Revolution Forward, 2005 MLS MVP
United States Men's National Team

"I am all for St. Louis getting a team. St. Louis needs something to cap off all of the great tradition and all of the great players it has produced. An MLS team does that."

Brad Davis
Midfielder Houston Dynamo
Former Saint Louis University Billiken soccer player

"I think the plan for the stadium is excellent. Anytime you can get a soccer-specific stadium built, that is a great thing.

"I just don't know how it couldn't succeed here in the St. Louis area." 

Mike Shannon

“It would add to the great schedule of major league sports we have in the area." 

“Collinsville has shown to be a very progressive community. They have had success with their convention center and other developments, plus St. Louis has become a tremendous entertainment center and the MLS and this development just enhances it.”

Pat McBride
Former St. Louis Stars Player/Captain for 10 years in the NASL
Head Coach of the St. Louis Steamers
Former United States Men's National Team Member

"St. Louis has been starving for a professional soccer team since the MLS started and we are anxious to show that we are very deserving of a potential franchise."

"Any degree of success that the sport of soccer enjoys today in the United States is directly attributable to St. Louis as one of the game's prime movers from over a century ago."

"Now that the MLS has brought a newfound awareness to soccer in our country, it logically follows that St. Louis should play a part."

"I believe that St. Louis must have a Major League Soccer team. St. Louis has played a major part in the history of soccer in this country and the next logical step is for an expansion team to be placed there."

"St. Louis for many years has been considered the soccer capital of the United States, and MLS belongs in the soccer capital of the United States."

"I used to love coming to St. Louis as a player because you are in the heart of the country and the people there are tremendous fans. St. Louis is the foundation of soccer in this country."

"When I was with the National team it was one of our favorite destinations. The people there were true soccer fans, they got the game, they understood it."

"The commitment that St. Louis Soccer United has right now is incredible. The area is deserving of a team and I hope that Collinsville is supportive of it and gets the stadium built."

John DiRaimondo
Colorado Rapids Midfielder
Former St. Louis University Billiken
Former United States Men's Under-20 Team Member

"St. Louis would be great for the MLS because it can draw on its deep soccer tradition. St. Louis fans always support their hometown team and the fans would definitely be behind this."

Robert Hermann
Former Chairman of the Board of the North American Soccer League
Namesake of the Hermann Trophy for the Best Collegiate Player in the United States

"St. Louis is the home of soccer in this country and it is so important in the schools here. St. Louis would be the best place in this country to have a team."

Bernie Miklasz
Sports Columnist St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"St. Louis is the ideal fit for the MLS because this is the cradle of American soccer. No city has such a rich and storied soccer tradition. But this isn't about living in the past. St. Louis continues to be a thriving soccer community that produces some of the top soccer talent in the U.S. And the town is more than ready to embrace the MLS. We've waited a long time for this and have had no professional outlet for our soccer passion."

Dan Donigan
Head Coach Men's Soccer St. Louis University

"St. Louis is the original hotbed of soccer in the U.S. and I think it is only justified that we be awarded a franchise in the top professional league in the country."

"There has always been representation from St. Louis players on our youth, Olympic and National teams, which would tell you that there is a tremendous passion, support and interest from the St. Louis community for the game of soccer at the highest level."

Bryan Burwell
Sports Columnist, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"If you know anything about the history of soccer, you know about the young men from The Hill that beat England in 1950 at the World Cup in Brazil. It only seems logical that MLS would eventually find its way here."

Jack Jewsbury
Forward Kansas City Wizards and former Saint Louis University Billiken soccer player

"With my experience playing at Saint Louis University and knowing the tradition we have here, I know the support for a team would meet and exceed MLS' expectations."

J.P. Dellacamera
ESPN and MSG Soccer Commentator
Voice of the MLS on ABC

"With its rich soccer history, how can St. Louis not be a part of the MLS? The new stadium can only help to make St. Louis a successful franchise."

Bob Warming
Head Coach Creighton University Men's Soccer
Former Head Coach at Saint Louis University

"Facilities were a glaring omission in the St. Louis landscape when I arrived. Now, not only would you have a great stadium for an MLS team, but you would have a great stadium for other soccer–related events. I always thought St. Louis was a big event town and, with a venue like this, it makes those events possible."

Doug Elgin
Commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference

"The St. Louis market truly has small-town fan loyalties and big-city financial capabilities to support its home-town teams. A MLS franchise in this metropolitan area would be a strength for this league."

Al Trost
Former United States National Team Member
Two-Time National Champion at Saint Louis University (1969 and 1970)
Soccer Hall of Fame Member

"When I think of all the good players in the past, and when I think of what St. Louis will produce in terms of players in the future, I just feel professional soccer should be here all the time."

Kim Tucci
Owner of the Pasta House Company, St. Louis

"A professional soccer franchise in the St. Louis region would be more than a pleasant addition to our sports arsenal."

"The St. Louis region has been in the forefront of soccer ever since its introduction to the USA."

			Letters of Support St. Louis Ideal Market for Professional Soccer Proposed Stadium Development in Collinsville