Steamers Legends Take on MISL Legends
Published on January 21, 2004 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
St. Louis Steamers News Release
(St. Louis, Jan. 20, 2004) Slobo Ilijevski . . . Steve Pecher . . . Don Ebert . . . Tony Glavin . . . Carl Rose . . . Jeff Cacciatore . . . Redmond Lane . . . Sam Bick . . . . Area soccer fans knew 'em and loved 'em during the Steamers' glory years in the early 1980s. Now fans have an opportunity to see the former Steamers greats again as they face a team of MISL Legends during the Feb. 27-29 2004 All-Star Weekend in St. Louis.
The MISL Legends Game will kick off Feb. 29 at 4 p.m. at The Family Arena, immediately after the MISL All-Star Game, which will pit the MISL's brightest stars in a USA vs. International format.
In addition to the Legends Game, Steamers Legends will be involved in numerous events during the All-Star Weekend activities, including the MasterCard All-Star Community Day (Feb. 27), and a practice session with the MISL Legends during the Feb. 28 MISL All-Star Family Festival at The Family Arena. Steamers fans young and old will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with Steamers Legends, many of who remain household names in the St. Louis area, some 20 years after the original franchise's heyday.
"It's amazing how many people still like to talk about the old Steamers," said Steve Pecher, an original member of the Steamers' MISL franchise and a former team captain. "There's hardly a day that goes by that somebody doesn't bring up the Steamers. People that now are in their 30s and 40s remember those teams like they were yesterday. Back then, going to Steamers games on Friday nights was the thing to do."
Brought to St. Louis by Marvin Mann in July 1979, the Steamers drew more than 18,000 fans to their Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) home-opener and averaged 14,060 in the first season (1979-80). During the franchise's first five MISL seasons, the Steamers averaged 15,000 fans per game in the venerable St. Louis Arena.
The Steamers, moreover, became a model franchise for the MISL, with a roster full of homegrown talent, dedicated, knowledgeable coaches, and civic-minded owners who carefully nurtured the region's deep soccer heritage.
"I think St. Louis identified with us because we had so many players on the team from the area," said Pecher, a two-time all-state performer at Normandy High School. "Wearing the St. Louis emblem was definitely a source of pride. Plus, we were the type of team that never gave up. We never felt like we were out of a game. We just had that mentality. We were definitely a blue-collar team."
Although the Steamers never won a championship during their original nine-season stint in the MISL, the team registered three division titles and three league championship appearances in its first four seasons. The players and franchise, moreover, warmed the hearts of soccer fans throughout the region and created a legacy that continues today.
Following are Steamers Legends who have agreed to participate in the MISL Legends Game:
STEAMERS LEGENDS PLAYERS
Steve Pecher
Slobo Ilijevski
Tony Glavin
John Stremlau
Jeff Cacciatore
Jim Kavanaugh
Mark Frederickson
Ty Keough
Carl Rose
Don Ebert
Sam Bick
Greg Makowski
Redmond Lane
Tony Bellinger
Denny Vaninger
Don Droege
Kevin Hundelt
John Hayes
Eric Delabar
STEAMERS LEGENDS COACHES
Pat McBride
Al Trost
Pete Sorber
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 21, 2004
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