MLS Shake-up: St. Louis City FC Joins the League in 2023MLS Shake-up: St. Louis City FC Joins the League in 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced a significant expansion with the addition of St. Louis City FC as its 29th franchise. The club will begin play in the 2023 season, bringing the league’s presence to a major American city with a rich soccer tradition. St. Louis City FC is owned by the Taylor family, also owners of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. The club has unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art stadium in Downtown West, which is expected to be completed by the 2023 season opener. The expansion to St. Louis represents a significant step in MLS’s growth strategy. The league has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, with Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF joining in 2020 and Austin FC and Charlotte FC set to debut in 2021 and 2022, respectively. “St. Louis is a city with an incredible soccer history and passion,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “The Taylor family’s commitment to excellence and their vision for a world-class stadium make them ideal partners for our league.” St. Louis has a long-standing soccer tradition, dating back to the days of the St. Louis Soccer League in the early 20th century. The city has also been home to several professional soccer teams, including the St. Louis Steamers and the St. Louis Stars. The addition of St. Louis City FC is expected to boost the league’s revenue and fan base. The club has already generated significant interest and excitement in the city, with season tickets already on sale. “We are thrilled to bring MLS to St. Louis,” said Carolyn Kindle Betz, president and CEO of St. Louis City FC. “We believe that this city has everything it takes to be a major soccer market, and we are committed to creating a team and a stadium that will make the entire region proud.” The MLS expansion to St. Louis City FC reflects the league’s continued growth and its commitment to reaching new markets across North America. St. Louis is expected to be a strong addition to the league and help drive its long-term success.
