The U.S. Men’s National soccer team will play its first 2018 World Cup qualifying match at Busch Stadium this coming fall.
It will be the first time St. Louis has hosted a World Cup qualifying match since 1989.
Dan Flynn of the US Soccer Federation says the match will attract visitors from all over the country.
“An average World Cup qualifier, our fans will travel from at least 44 different states, so I think that’s a big statement for the city as well and the city’s prepared to bring and host those fans that come from all over the country,” Flynn said.
St. Louis has played host to four professional soccer matches since 2013 at both Busch Stadium and the Edward Jones Dome.
The last professional match played at Busch was an exhibition game this past April between the U.S. Women’s National team and New Zealand.
Despite having no national team of its own, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says the upcoming game, as well as the previous matches; helps solidify the city’s reputation as a soccer town.
“It brings to all the soccer fans in the St. Louis area and around the Midwest something to be very very excited about and it is also a demonstration that St. Louis is stepping up and letting the world know that this is a soccer town,” Slay said.
The team will play either Aruba or St. Vincent and the Grenadines on November 13.
