The first female majority-owned team in MLS was born from a failed bid
In short: St. Louis has a century of soccer history, but its path to Major League Soccer was blocked by rejected public funding and folded franchises. It took a private investment revolution—led by the heirs of an auto rental fortune—to finally bring professional soccer back to the Gateway City.
The journey to establish St. Louis City SC was marked by repeated setbacks. In 2008, a group led by lawyer Jeff Cooper attempted to secure an MLS expansion team but saw their bids rejected in favor of other cities. This era also saw the collapse of local professional ventures: AC St. Louis folded in 2011 after one season, and Saint Louis Athletica collapsed midway through its second season in 2010.
A major turning point occurred in 2017 when a plan to use $60 million in city tax revenue for a stadium was defeated by voters in a public referendum. The city's soccer prospects remained uncertain throughout early 2018, prior to a fresh bid being initiated by a new ownership collective featuring Carolyn Kindle Betz and Taylor family women. Crucially, this new group opted to avoid public funding entirely, choosing to own the land and stadium privately.
The club officially joined MLS as its 28th franchise in August 2019. It made history as the league's first female majority-owned team. The club now plays at Energizer Park, a soccer-specific stadium designed to host 17 to 23 games annually. While it has already faced regional rivalries with Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City, its inaugural 2023 season was record-breaking, as the team became the first MLS expansion side to win its first five matches.
The club's identity is deeply rooted in local geography, featuring a crest that symbolizes the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Despite its rapid success, the team has navigated complex cultural dynamics, including the organization of diverse supporters' groups like the 'No Nap City Ultras' and the 'STL Santos,' as well as establishing new rules regarding fan displays by 2026.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: St. Louis City SC
- Also: Wikidata — St. Louis City SC · CC0
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