Beyond the Pitch: Building a Club That Belongs to Its Community

I believe a club's true value is measured far beyond the pitch. Very proud to see our club get recognized by Major League Soccer with two awards recently, for Engagement & Inclusion Club of the Year and Youth Fan Engagement. This is one of the things that makes working at St. Louis CITY SC feel genuinely special. When we talk about being woven into the fabric of St. Louis, it’s not just a line, it shows up in what we do. It’s building new futsal courts in communities like Cahokia Heights so kids have safe places to play. It’s offering free programs like CITY Futures that give young players access to high-quality coaching. It’s creating a sense of belonging through CITY Moves, bringing the CITY experience to nearly 30 schools this year, and partnering with touch2see so visually impaired fans can enjoy matchdays at Energizer Park. I think every club has a responsibility to ensure they're lowering barriers and friction for current and future fans. Are youth programs truly accessible? Is the stadium experience welcoming to everyone? Is the club a real community partner not just on matchday, but twelve months a year? These are the things that build a legacy. Things like this remind me why we all got into sports in the first place. Congrats Ken Earley, Peter Wood, David Vedder, Kristen Carver, Kristin Mosley, Caleb Leon, Ericela Sahagun, Alyssa Mintjens-Anderson, Matt Sebek, and so many more!