The original St. Louis Steamers played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena. The Steamers were popular for several years, with average attendance exceeding 12,000 for each season from 1980–81 through 1984–85, and outdrawing the NHL's St. Louis Blues for four consecutive seasons from 1980–81 through 1983–84.
Ownership Marvin Mann (1979–1980) Stan Musial & Partnership (1980–83) Thomas M. Bowers & Partnership (1983–87) Bing Devine (1987–88)
History
The Major Indoor Soccer League awarded St. Louis a franchise on July 31, 1979.Our St. Louis Steamers The home opener on December 14, 1979, drew over 18,000 fans to the Arena.Our St. Louis Steamers Part of the Steamers' attraction was that their roster was drawn in large part from local talent.Our St. Louis Steamers
The Steamers' popularity peaked during the 1981–82 season, when the team averaged 17,107 fans per game, including 19,298 fans in the Steamers' match at the Arena against the Denver Avalanche.Our St. Louis Steamers In 1981–82, the Steamers won their second straight division title and reached the MISL Championship finals, where they lost to New York in a five-game series.
The Steamers played their final match on April 15, 1988, in front of 4,839 fans.Our St. Louis Steamers Following the 1987–88 season, the club folded, and the MISL terminated the Steamers' franchise.
Year-by-year League championsRunners-UpDivision champions*Playoff berth
Year League Reg. season G.F. G.A. Percent Finish Playoffs Attendance1979–80 MISL I 12–20 177 184 .375 Did not qualify14,0601980–81 MISL I 25–15 122 196 .625 Central Division champions Lost in MISL Finals to New York 15,2191981–82 MISL I 28–16 128 182 .636 Central Division champions Lost in MISL Finals to New York 17,1071982–83 MISL I 26–22 234 234 .542 Lost in 1st round to Wichita 14,6931983–84 MISL I 26–22 220 202 .542 Western Division champions Lost in MISL Finals to Baltimore 13,9921984–85 MISL I 24–24 211 207 .500 Lost in the Wild Card to Kansas City 12,7111985–86 MISL I 23–25 223 233 .479 Lost in 1st round to San Diego 10,1891986–87 MISL I 19–33 122 196 .365 Did not qualify7,0381987–88 MISL I 18–38 195 224 .321 Did not qualify 6,440
Retired numbers #30 Slobo Ilijevski #7 Daryl Doran
Coaches Pat McBride (1979–81) (1985–87) Al Trost (1981–83) Dave Clements (1983–85) Tony Glavin (1987–88)
Yearly Awards MISL Rookie of the Year 1980–81 – Don Ebert
MISL Goalkeeper of the Year 1981–1982 – Slobo Ilijevski 1983–1984 – Slobo Ilijevski
MISL All-Star Team Selection 1980–1981 – Steve Pecher 1980–1981 – Tony Glavin 1981–1982 – Slobo Ilijevski 1983–1984 – Slobo Ilijevski 1983–1984 – Sam Bick
MISL Coach of the Year 1979–80 – Pat McBride (Jointly held)
See also Soccer in St. Louis St. Louis Stars St. Louis Storm (1989–92) St. Louis Ambush (1992–2000) AC St. Louis (2010) Record attendances in United States club soccer
References