Steamers Reunion Game October 25

October 20, 2003 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
St. Louis Steamers News Release


(St. Louis, Oct. 17, 2003) Slobo Ilijevski . . . Steve Pecher . . . Pat McBride . . . Tony Glavin . . . Carl Rose . . . Jeff Cacciatore . . . Pete Sorber . . . Al Trost . . . Eric Delabar . . . . 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 again during a Reunion Game to be held at halftime of the St. Louis Steamers' October 25 Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) home-opener against the Kansas City Comets.

To give the event an even more authentic feel, the players will be wearing "retro" jerseys. Retro jerseys also will be worn that night by the current Steamers team. The jerseys will be auctioned off later in the season, with proceeds going to the Steamers Soccer Foundation.

"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 now that 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 home-grown 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.

Among the former Steamers greats who will be participating in the Oct. 25 Steamers Reunion Game: Pat McBride (coach), Pete Sorber (coach), Al Trost (coach), Steve Pecher, Carl Rose, Slobo Ilijevski, Jeff Cacciatore, Tony Glavin, Tim Walters, Eric Delabar, Pete Collico, Don Droege, Mark Mathis, Jim Kavanaugh, Bob Bozada, Mike O'Mara, Dan Muesenfechter, Paul Turin, Mark Frederickson, and Joe Clarke.

The Steamers Oct. 25 home-opener against Kansas City kicks off at 7:05 p.m. Single-game tickets ranging from $7 to $15 are available by calling MetroTix at 314-543-1111, or by visiting metrotix.com.

Steamers season ticket packages are on sale starting at $42. For more information on season tickets, call 636-410-0388, ext. 501; toll free at 1-866-STL-KICK; or visit our Web site www.stlsteamers.com.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from October 20, 2003


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