urbanSTL

Does anybody know where to find youth soccer numbers by metro? Not just in the present, but also say 10 or 15 years ago?

I firmly believe St. Louis has the core due to the amount of youth soccer participation. They've probably been passed in this area by many regions that have MLS teams, but I still think it's a strong core, and if we gave these kids any reason to stay hooked on the sport as they matured, I'm certain soccer would boom here in St. Louis again.

There's the fact that our developmental programs would be grown and made better, but it's not just about the kids who will keep playing soccer. Many will still give soccer up as an organized sport, but just as many of us didn't play a lot of baseball or hockey or football in an organized manner, they'll still grow to be big fans of their professional team.

We just need one of our local money bags to invest.

For St. Louis Numbers you could start by looking at the CYC and SLYSA websites.

THIS is what is going to propel KC light years ahead of STL regarding soccer on every level. From youth, to producing pros, KC will benefit greatly from this... Not sure why you'd put this in a place with cold months half the year, but KC is a soccer hotbed right now. I think it should be in a place where the weather is more temperate year round, nothing against KC, of course, just saying. If this happens, STL may never catch KC in soccer. At least we have baseball and hockey......

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... ent-plan-k

DogtownBnR wrote:If this happens, STL may never catch KC in soccer. At least we have baseball and hockey......

That race is lost... "Welcome to Kansas City, Kansas, the new soccer capital of America"
http://www.citylab.com/design/2014/07/w ... ca/375176/

Maybe I am just searching for some kind of silver lining.... but the more attention KC gets for its soccer team and development may be only a good thing for St. Louis.

(I also realize that nothing will actually change until we have an investor but still... silver lining.)

Apologies if this has already been covered. Maybe someone who's into soccer can clarify this: St. Louis is getting a USL Pro team, which is Tier III in the U.S. Soccer Federation hierarchy?

Is there any real difference between Tier II and Tier III if the U.S. doesn't have a relegation system? Or is there relegation between Tier II and Tier III? Tier III has some much smaller cities (Dayton, Harrisburg, Austin, Wilmington, Rochester), but many others (Pittsburgh, "Arizona", Charlotte) seem comparable to Tier II. OKC appears to be moving up from Tier III to Tier II later this year.... But Tier II has some small cities as well (San Antonio, Jacksonville, Ottawa, Edmonton).

Is there any method to this madness? With a showing of strong fan support and some investment in facilities/infrastructure (even if not major) would St. Louis be able to move up? Does it even make a difference?

Again, sorry about my complete lack of knowledge on all things U.S. Soccer league hierarchy.

FWW: It looks like Orlando City has led the USL Pro in attendance for the last three years (5,330, 6,606, 8,056 per game) and now has to move to Louisville because the city is getting an MLS team. Kind of a victim of their own success, but I consider Louisville an upgrade.

^I would assume that it is going to take years of support and a willing owner, to put TONS of money into the team, the facilities and franchise. This is a tough road to toll, but it is possible. Hopefully, MLS will still be growing by the time this team (hopefully) grows in popularity beyond all expectations. That is what it is going to take, for MLS and a rich owner, to take notice.

roger wyoming II wrote:So it looks like Minneapolis is poised to get an MLS expansion team and apparently another Midwestern city is trying to put something together.... anyone know whom?

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... arket.html

It also seems like the Twin Cities are the best performers in terms of landing sports team for its size.... I'm pretty sure it is the smallest metro to have MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and now a good chance at MLS.

Dat corporate presence

I would think possible Milwaukee Cleveland Detroit Cincinnati Indianapolis. Denver isn't really midwest ..

RedOctober wrote:I would think possible Milwaukee Cleveland Detroit Cincinnati Indianapolis. Denver isn't really midwest ..

I think Denver was brought up as another mid-size city that has all 4(5) major league teams. Denver already has an MLS team.

If a second in the Midwest I would handicap it as this -

Realistic-

Detroit - there is an ownership group there that has expressed interest and cash

Indy - No real ownership group, but the Indy 11 had an amazing first year in NASL - If someone throws money that way the platform is there to build on.

Longshot-

St. Louis - we have been more or less shelved - but still ahead of the efforts of Cinci, Milwaukee, Cleveland etc... - One team in Ohio is enough-

Denver Rapids are owned by our own Stan Kroenke. well actually - Kroenke Sports Enterprises official owns the team and is controlled by Stan's son as required by the NFL no compete requirements -

In other news Beckham's Miami bid is in jeopardy because of stadium issues - which means that the league could reassign that expansion slot to a city that has a stadium plan (the league is probably kicking themselves for not having Becks line things up before awarding the franchise)

beer city wrote:MLS says no additional expansion announcements till 2015 - Meanwhile FC St. Louis will probably have a preseason game as early as Feb - These guys have done a nice job thus far - Get out and support them - Would love to have the rave revues of Sacramento and Indy

http://saintlouisfc.com/landing/index

Jim Kavanaugh, the ringleader of FCSTL and CEO of World Wide Technology used to play in the MISL in LA. Pretty sure he and other execs from WWT attended the World Cup in Brazil this year. Big soccer fans. I think that's the best kind of owner.

The Athletica were drawing around 3500 per game the first season; I'd hope SLFC can pull at least that many in a slightly better economy.

MarkHaversham wrote:The Athletica were drawing around 3500 per game the first season; I'd hope SLFC can pull at least that many in a slightly better economy.

3,500 would not put them in the top 5 - but I think it would be great goal - would love to see overwhelming response

Do we know when St. Louis FC will release their schedule? (Have I missed it?)

I'd like to attend as many games as possible and support that organization.

jstriebel wrote:Do we know when St. Louis FC will release their schedule? (Have I missed it?)

I'd like to attend as many games as possible and support that organization.

Rosters, schedule and kit have yet to be released - I am told the kit will be revealed soon - Season starts in March so schedule should be pretty quick also, problem is a 9 team expansion