CITY2 & MLS NEXT Pro 101

STL CITY2 is gearing up to take the pitch, and we’re here to answer all of your questions before the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season kicks off in March. So, let’s get right to it.

What’s the difference between STL CITY2 and St. Louis CITY SC’s first team?

ICYMI – In December 2021, Major League Soccer announced the launch of their new development league – MLS NEXT Pro.

So, what is MLS NEXT Pro? It is a new professional league launching in 2022 that will complete the player pathway, from the youth development platform MLS NEXT to the professional ranks. The league is meant to accelerate the future of soccer in North America, growing and improving the game in local communities by establishing the sport as a platform of innovation and diversity.

STL CITY2 will participate in the MLS NEXT Pro league, and you might even see a few players that could end up on St. Louis CITY SC’s first team when they begin playing in 2023.

Why is it so important for St. Louis to join MLS NEXT Pro this year?

We know, we know. We don’t even officially join Major League Soccer until next year and have players to sign, sponsorships to announce and the list goes on and on. So why are we so focused on joining MLS NEXT Pro_ right now_?

Well, for one, we might be kind of crazy. But there’s more to it than that. It is very important for our club to establish a complete player pathway as early on as possible. STL CITY2 will create a clear step between our club’s academy program and our first team, allowing our club’s academy and younger players the opportunity to accelerate their development as they gain valuable experience playing alongside and against professional players.

It also provides our club with an opportunity that no other club has had before. We can utilize an entire season to acquire players, test ideas and fine tune the details of our soccer philosophy ahead of our inaugural MLS season in 2023.

Who will be coaching the MLS NEXT Pro team?

Renowned soccer coach John Hackworth will serve as acting head coach for the first MLS NEXT Pro season. Hackworth joined St. Louis CITY SC last fall as Director of Coaching with an insane amount of experience, 25 years to be exact, and will be assisted by Elvir Kafedžić in coaching the STL CITY2 team.

So now that I understand what STL CITY2 is, how can I come and support the first STL CITY2 match?

Not only are we making St. Louis soccer history, but also MLS NEXT Pro history, by hosting the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro match right here in our own city at Hermann Stadium on Saint Louis University’s (SLU) campus. Check out all of the deets you need to know for matchday right here.

• The match against Rochester New York FC starts at 7:00 p.m. CST, with the first 2,000 fans receiving a limited-edition CITY Red rally towel. So, all of our free-swag lovers – make sure to get there early!
• Tickets are $15 at the door, but $10 in advance so make sure you purchase them today at seatgeek.com.

I won’t be able to make it, but I still want to support STL CITY2. Is there somewhere I can watch the match?

Already have plans but don’t want to miss this historic STL CITY2 match? You’re in luck – all MLS NEXT Pro matches will be livestreamed on mlsnextpro.com, beginning with our first match on Friday, March 25.

Will all of the home matches be played at the same location?

The majority of the STL CITY2’s home matches will be hosted between the two locations – SLU’s Hermann Stadium and SIUE’s Ralph Korte Stadium. Check out specific location details for each home match in our regular season schedule here.

Who will STL CITY2 play against this season?

Kicking off the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro season, STL CITY2 is one of 21 clubs to compete in the new professional league and is set to compete in the Frontier Division of the Western Conference alongside Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, and Minnesota. KC, we’re looking at you. 👀

How many matches will there be in the 2022 season?

St. Louis soccer fans, we hope you’re ready! For the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season, there’s a total of 24 STL CITY2 matches for you to tune into this season, including 12 away matches and 12 home matches.

Following the inaugural match on March 25 at Hermann Stadium on SLU’s campus, the team will split the rest of the home games between Hermann Stadium and Ralph Korte Stadium at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUE).

What players will make up the STL CITY2 team?

STL CITY2’s roster is made up of a talented group of players from all different types of playing backgrounds – nationally and internationally. We have a very balanced roster that includes players from other professional leagues, various college teams and our academy programs.