AC St. Louis Signs Major League Soccer Veteran Steve Ralston
In a move that is sure to surprise many MLS supporters as well as fans of the New England Revolution, North American Soccer League’s AC St. Louis announced today the signing of midfielder Steve Ralston.
Ralston, a St. Louis native, will serve as a player and assistant coach to Head Coach Claude Anelka and Director of Player Development Francisco Filho.
“This is a day I always dreamed would happen,” said Ralston. “I think anyone who plays professional sports wants to play in their hometown. I am fortunate to get to do just that at this stage of my career. Obviously it is an exciting time for soccer in St. Louis since we now have our own professional team. I am honored to be the first player to become a part of this new franchise.”
Originally signed by the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996, Ralston has been one of the most consistent performers in league history with 14 years of league experience. He has played in 378 games with 135 assists and 76 goals.
Ralston has also been caped 36 times with the US Men’s National Team and he has twice been a CONCACAF Gold Cup winner with the United States in 2005 and 2007. Ralston has four career goals with the United States, and was an alternate on the 2006 World Cup team. He scored the game-winning goal against Mexico on September 3, 2005 as the United States clinched a berth to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
“Bringing a veteran leader into our team as a building block of our franchise is absolutely crucial for us,” stated AC St. Louis Chairman Jeff Cooper. “The fact that he grew up in St. Louis and is a well known name to sports fans here is just a bonus. It is not every day you get to bring home a player that has played the most games in the history of the MLS.”
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Caught me by surprise a bit but it’s exciting news. Nice to see an NASL team step up and make a notable signing!
Why would this surprise MLS supporters? Ives predicted it last week. Good for Steve, but it’s part of the growth of the game that a guy near the end of his career moves onto a position in his hometown that allows him to prepare to coach. Nothing more, nothing less.
Good for Ralston, good for NASL. I can honestly envision MLS and NALS becoming part of a common structure, which will allow for promotion/relegation (in about 20 years or so)…right now, baby steps…let’s hope the MLS Nazis agree to drop the single-entity structure and get the season going. MLS cannot afford a lockout right now.
Good news for Ralston. Great news for NASL and St. Louis.
I am very excited, like Steve , about having a new mens team in St. Louis. I grew up and was coached by two former, (NASL) ST Louis Stars, players. I heard many stories they told and witnessed the passion and the love of the game they shared with others. I think it is time that soccer came back to St. Louis. The St Louis Stars were a soccer team based out of St. Louis, Missouri that played in the original NASL from 1967 to 1977. Hopefully St. Louis can and will support their new team as they did then averaging 7, 000 in attendance which was the highest in the leage.
Stephen Parker
Awesome news. On one hand, St. Louis is sort of my adopted second hometown now, and on the other, I hate to see New England’s ownership put nothing into their team but have them still be successful!
Looking forward to the schedule coming out. Hopefully our new team plays at ACSTL on a weekend and I’ll definitely try to make the road trip.
His talent level will better suit the USL/NPSL. I suppose his name will draw some St. Louis fans to games to pay admission.
“His talent level will better suit the USL/NPSL.” LOL, Zlatan you old curmudgeon. Sometimes you crack me up. He is perhaps one of the all time most prolific MLS players and has also been very important to the US National team at times.
“MLS Nazis.” That’s funny. There’d be no MLS, Nazis or otherwise, without single entity, genius.