St. Louis Steamers (1979–88)

The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena. The Steamers were popular for a number of 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.

St.Louis Steamers
Logo of the original St. Louis Steamers
Founded1979
Dissolved1988
GroundSt. Louis Arena
St. Louis, Missouri
Capacity18,000
LeagueMajor Indoor Soccer League

Ownership

History

The Major Indoor Soccer League awarded St. Louis a franchise on July 31, 1979.[3] The home opener on December 14, 1979 drew over 18,000 fans to the Arena.[4] Part of the Steamers' attraction was that their roster was drawn in large part from local talent.[5]

The Steamers' popularity reached its peak 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.[6] 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.[7] Following the 1987–88 season, the club folded, and the MISL terminated the Steamers' franchise.

Year-by-year
League Champions Runners-Up Division Champions* Playoff Berth
YearLeagueReg. SeasonG.F.G.A.PercentFinishPlayoffsAttendance
1979–80MISL I12–20177184.375Did not qualify14,060
1980–81MISL I25–15122196.625Central Division championsLost in the MISL Finals to New York15,219
1981–82MISL I28–16128182.636Central Division championsLost in MISL Finals to New York17,107
1982–83MISL I26–22234234.542Lost in 1st round to Wichita14,693
1983–84MISL I26–22220202.542Western Division championsLost in MISL Finals to Baltimore13,992
1984–85MISL I24–24211207.500Lost in the Wild Card to Kansas City12,711
1985–86MISL I23–25223233.479Lost in 1st round to San Diego10,189
1986–87MISL I19–33122196.365Did not qualify7,038
1987–88MISL I18–38195224.321Did not qualify6,440

Retired numbers

Coaches

Yearly Awards

MISL Rookie of the Year

MISL Goalkeeper of the Year

MISL All-Star Team Selection

MISL Coach of the Year

See also

References
  1. "History". Official Website of the St. Louis Ambush Professional Soccer Team. St. Louis Ambush. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  2. "History". Official Website of the St. Louis Ambush Professional Soccer Team. St. Louis Ambush. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  3. Our St. Louis Steamers
  4. Our St. Louis Steamers
  5. Our St. Louis Steamers
  6. Our St. Louis Steamers
  7. Our St. Louis Steamers
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