St. Louis Watches as KC Secures NWSL Future

The soccer rivalry across Missouri just added a new chapter. While St. Louis CITY SC has electrified our city with MLS success, news from Kansas City reveals their National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, the Current, is making significant strides, including plans for a dedicated stadium. This development prompts many St. Louisans to wonder about our own city’s path to the top tier of women’s professional soccer.

The NWSL Landscape Shifts West

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is rapidly growing, attracting new investors and expanding into new markets. Successful expansion often hinges on strong ownership, robust financial backing, and dedicated infrastructure. Kansas City has recently solidified its NWSL presence through significant, long-term commitments.

KC Current’s Groundbreaking Ambitions

The Kansas City Current’s ambitious plans, led by owners Chris and Angie Long, demonstrate unparalleled commitment. Their groundbreaking project—a new, purpose-built NWSL stadium—is a significant investment in the team and league, setting a new standard for professional women’s sports.

What Drove Kansas City’s NWSL Success?

Kansas City’s NWSL leadership stems from several factors. Primarily, the ownership group’s deep financial commitment and clear vision. Their substantial investment in both player salaries and infrastructure, notably the new stadium, signals stability and growth. This dedication provides vital resources for the team’s success. Additionally, KC’s strong soccer culture and eager fan base have fostered consistent community support for the Current.

St. Louis’s NWSL Ambitions: Awaiting Our Turn?

For St. Louis fans, KC’s progress prompts questions about our city’s NWSL future. St. Louis boasts a rich soccer heritage and passionate fan base, proven by CITY SC’s success. However, securing an NWSL team requires specific criteria: a dedicated, investing ownership group and a clear plan for professional-standard facilities. While CITY SC’s owners support soccer broadly, a public NWSL-specific bid with dedicated funding and infrastructure plans, like KC’s, hasn’t yet emerged.

Implications for St. Louis Soccer Fans

This news highlights the competitive nature of professional sports expansion. While St. Louis enjoys CITY SC’s success, KC’s NWSL growth reminds us of women’s professional soccer opportunities. It underscores the need for proactive, dedicated efforts to bring a top-tier women’s team here. This fuels a renewed focus on what St. Louis needs to eventually host its own NWSL franchise.

Tale of Two Cities: NWSL Readiness Snapshot

What’s Next for St. Louis and Women’s Soccer?

St. Louis fans should watch for official NWSL expansion announcements. While a new team might not be immediate, CITY SC’s success could pave the way. Monitor local women’s soccer initiatives, collegiate programs, and any broader soccer investment discussions from the CITY SC ownership. The NWSL is expanding, and St. Louis remains a prime, though currently unfulfilled, market.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will St. Louis ever get an NWSL team?
  While nothing is guaranteed, St. Louis’s strong soccer culture and successful MLS team make it a very attractive market for future NWSL expansion. It will likely require a dedicated ownership group with significant investment plans.
• What is the main difference between KC and St. Louis in this context?
  Kansas City has a dedicated ownership group specifically focused on its NWSL team, including a massive investment in a purpose-built stadium. St. Louis currently has a successful MLS team, but no public NWSL-specific ownership group or stadium plan has emerged.
• Could St. Louis CITY SC’s ownership bring an NWSL team?
  It’s certainly a possibility. Many MLS ownership groups also own NWSL teams. However, any such move would require substantial investment and a clear strategy for the women’s team, including facilities and operational independence.
• How can I support women’s soccer in St. Louis now?
  Support local collegiate women’s soccer programs, attend high school games, follow women’s amateur leagues, and advocate for professional women’s soccer in St. Louis through local fan groups and social media.

While the NWSL spotlight shines on Kansas City, St. Louis’s deep passion for soccer keeps the dream of a professional women’s team vibrant and attainable for the future, pending the right investment and vision.

Kansas City Leads Missouri NWSL Race With Stadium Plan