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.
Contents
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. The home opener on December 14, 1979, drew over 18,000 fans to the Arena. Part of the Steamers' attraction was that their roster was drawn in large part from local talent.
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. 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. Following the 1987–88 season, the club folded, and the MISL terminated the Steamers' franchise.
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)