AC St. Louis
The Athletic Club of St. Louis (short: AC St. Louis ) is a former American football franchise from St. Louis, Missouri. The team, founded in 2009, played his first and only season in the NASL Conference of the USSF Division 2 Professional League, the second highest during the 2010 League of the USA and Canada.
The USSF D2 Pro League was a temporary football league, which has 2010 Existing only for the season. It was used by the United States Soccer Federation, as Kompriss between USL and NASL.
History
Originally, the team owner Jeff Cooper wanted to start a team for the Major League Soccer. Along with the listed of Cooper Investment Group St. Louis Soccer United ( SLSU ) should hold in the Greater St. Louis professional football collection. In Collinsville (Illinois ) already standing in planning Collinsville Soccer Complex should be constructed.
The MLS rejected a first proposal, due to the limited financial resources which could muster the SLSU, but agreed when Cooper increased his investment group. After but increased the prices for an MLS franchise, Cooper decided to follow against the MLS.
In November 2009 he changed St. Louis Soccer United to the Athletic Club of St. Louis. Cooper was also the initiator of a new edition of the North American Soccer League. He wanted to create an alternative to the existing system of the United Soccer Leagues. Many clubs in the USL First Division joined his proposal. After a very heated court hearing with the USL, the USSF decided the NASL as inadmissible. At the same time, the association decreed, however, that both interest group to draw up a proposal for a league operating in the 2010 season.
Thus, the USSF Division -2 was introduced Professional League on January 7, 2010, where both USL allowed to play as NASL clubs. St. Louis plays in the NASL Conference.
Due to financial difficulties had to be discontinued in May 2010, the women's team St. Louis Athletica. Currently, Cooper was trying to secure the financial future of the Saints.
On 25 June 2010 became the first coach of the football franchises from St. Louis, Claude Anelka fired. He was succeeded by Dale Schilly. St. Louis finished his first season from fifth place in the NASL Conference. The play-offs did not reach the team. In the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup they lost in the second round against Los Angeles Galaxy.
After the first season, Cooper wanted to sell the franchise. As the financial situation permitted this no other scheduled operation and no buyer could be found, AC St. Louis in January 2011 was dissolved.
Squad
These players put the last game of St. Louis the team.
Known previous Player
- United States Steve Ralston (2010)
Coach
- France Claude Anelka (2009-2010)
- United States Dale Schilly (2010)
Stadium
The football franchise plays its home games at the Anheuser -Busch Center in Fenton, Missouri from. Known as Soccer Park venue holds 6,200 spectators and has next to a football field five more places for lacrosse, hockey and other sports.