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MLS St. Louis City SC

St. Louis CITY SC Fuels Sports' Next Great Rivalry

May 12, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
St. Louis City SC News Release


ST. LOUIS - The newest rivalry in sports is quickly becoming an epic battle over historical roots and the heartbeat of soccer in America. In their first-ever meeting in Major League Soccer, St. Louis CITY SC will host Sporting Kansas City at CITYPARK on Saturday, May 20 at 8:30 p.m. CT, with CITY SC and their fans fueling the growing debate around America's First Soccer CITY.

The much-anticipated rivalry between St. Louis CITY SC and Sporting Kansas City for the designation of top soccer city was recently provoked by a cease-and-desist letter sent by Sporting Kansas City to a local St. Louis fan podcast over the podcast's name, "Soccer Capitol."

"St. Louis doesn't back down for anyone and our history speaks louder than any trademark or slogan," said St. Louis CITY SC's Chief Experience Officer Matt Sebek. "The pride and passion of our fans are the perfect ingredients to drive what is sure to become one of the most heated rivalries in Major League Soccer."

America's First Soccer CITY Campaign

The inspiration for America's First Soccer CITY is a celebration of pride in St. Louis and promoting and elevating local tourism in the CITYPARK stadium district and the entire region, including the "Soccer City" exhibit at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.

The campaign is led by "The High Road: The Longest Soccer History Exhibit," designed in partnership with the Missouri History Museum, to stand up for soccer fans in St. Louis and reclaim more than a century of soccer history. The dynamic seven-billboard exhibit has been rolled out along Interstate 70, a St. Louis-Kansas City connector, and Interstate 64, a major St. Louis artery. It is a 74-mile exhibition of St. Louis soccer history and chronicles important moments and milestones such as St. Louis' heavy representation in the 1950 World Cup team; the city's Kutis Soccer organization, one of the oldest soccer clubs in the U.S.; CITY SC's majority female ownership group, the first in MLS; and the team's historic 5-0-0 MLS season start.

"St. Louis' profound impact on U.S. soccer through homegrown players and championship teams proves why it is our country's top soccer city," said Dr. Jody Sowell, President, Missouri Historical Society. "We loved working with CITY SC in bringing St. Louis' soccer history to life in a captivating way with The High Road: The Longest Soccer History Exhibit."

Why is St. Louis America's First Soccer CITY? Let history speak for itself:

Soccer has been played in St. Louis since at least 1875. Since then, St. Louis teams have won 90 national championships and produced 34 members of various national soccer halls of fame.

78 players from St. Louis have played for the men's and women's national teams since the first men's national team in 1916. For the men's national team specifically, 74 out of about 650 players - more than 10% - have come from St. Louis.

Five of the 1950 U.S. World Cup team's starting XI were from St. Louis. The team upset front-runner England 1-0.

St. Louis club teams have won 10 U.S. Open Cup titles.

Starting in 1959, St. Louis University captured 10 of the first 15 NCAA men's Division I championships.

The America's First Soccer CITY campaign also includes:

Rivalry-themed merchandise, including an official match-up scarf as well as a limited-edition tee and cap emblazoned with the official patch of the match - all paying homage to the first battle between CITY SC and KC. On sale exclusively at the CITY Parking Garage pop-up shop during the CITY Block Party, May 19 & 20.

Just before kickoff at the match, CITY SC Supporters will raise rivalry banners high above their section, including calling out the recent cease-and-desist letter sent by Sporting Kansas City to a local St. Louis podcast over the use of "Soccer Capitol."

A special episode of The CITY Voice podcast featuring Dr. Jody Sowell, President of the Missouri Historical Society. Dr. Sowell leads CITY SC on a journey through time to bring the stories of some of the greatest moments in St. Louis soccer history to life. Now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and major streaming services.

On Saturday, May 20 during the CITY Block Party and Supporter Street Party, toss out Sporting KC gear for a good cause. Fans are encouraged to stop at the pop-up shop at the CITY Garage or the Supporter Street Party at Olive and 21st to discard their Sporting KC gear, which will be donated back to a charity in Kansas City. The first 100 people to discard an item will receive a $10 gift card to CITY Pavilion.

To kick off rivalry weekend, fans are invited to a supersized CITY Block Party - a free, block-party-meets-music-festival - May 19 & 20 at CITYPARK's Lou Fusz Plaza. Performances on Friday, May 19 include American alternative rock band Gin Blossoms, pop/rock artist Charlotte Sands and singer-songwriter Natalie Jade. Free tickets are available to claim on a first-come-first-serve basis for the May 19th CITY Block Party event at www.seatgeek.com. (Tickets are not required for CITY Block Party on Saturday, May 20.) Tickets to the May 20 match are not included.

For more information about the America's First Soccer CITY campaign, as well as the CITY Block Party, visit www.stlcitysc.com. A limited number of tickets remain for the May 20th match - visit www.seatgeek.com or the STL CITY SC app to purchase.

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