COURTESY OF MLS4THELOU, HOK, AND SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS
St. Louis soccer fans will have to wait just a little bit longer to cheer on a home team. MLS and the MLS4TheLou announced today that the inaugural season has been pushed back a year from 2022 to 2023.
According to a press release, the stalled timeline "is the result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the commencement of business operations and stadium development of these clubs and will give the clubs an appropriate timeline for a successful launch."
In a statement, MLS Commissioner Don Garber noted that the extra year will help make up 2020's challenges and allow clubs to better prepare for their inaugural seasons. In the league, Austin's FC—one of the earlier expansion teams to be announced—is still on schedule to debut in 2021, Charlotte's season has been pushed back from 2021 to 2022, and Sacramento joins St. Louis in rescheduling for 2023.
“We’ve been working closely with the league and collectively agreed that the adjusted timeline was the best decision to position our club for a historic launch and long-term success,” Carolyn Kindle Betz, MLS4TheLou CEO, said in a statement. “We can’t wait to get on the pitch in 2023 and are still moving full steam ahead to build a world-class club and stadium district that will invigorate Downtown West and be a meaningful part of our current downtown renaissance.”
As of now, construction on the club's stadium district and team headquarters is still underway.
