CITYPARK to host 2023 Bronze Boot

ST. LOUIS — The home of Major League Soccer’s St. Louis CITY SC, CITYPARK, can now add another event to its schedule: the Bronze Boot.

The Bronze Boot is one of NCAA’s most anticipated soccer rivalries and a strong reflection of St. Louis’ storied soccer culture. The rivalry: none other than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and St. Louis University (SLU).

A well-attended local bout, the men’s series was held in Downtown St. Louis at Busch Stadium II from 1972-1986 to accommodate large crowds. Following a 23-year hiatus, the rivalry was re-established in 2018.

The rivalry is responsible for three of the 15 largest crowds in NCAA history, with the most attended game in NCAA history being the 11th annual Bronze Boot meeting, which saw 22,512 fans watch the Billikens and the Cougars play at Busch Stadium on October 30, 1980.

“The Bronze Boot is synonymous with collegiate soccer history and its impact on St. Louis is far and wide. It’s an honor for CITYPARK to be part of its story,” said Carolyn Kindle, CEO and majority owner of St. Louis CITY SC. “We are excited to welcome SLU and SIUE fans to CITYPARK and watch as soccer’s superstars of tomorrow take the pitch in front of a loud hometown crowd.”

SIUE and SLU will face off in an evening doubleheader on Saturday, September 2. The women’s match will kick off at 5 p.m., with the men kicking off at 7:30 p.m.

SIUE, SLU representative pleased with the venue

Representatives of SIUE and SLU are really happy about the news and the venue that they will play in.”We are thrilled to showcase the Billiken men’s and women’s soccer teams at CITYPARK in September as we play SIUE,” said Chris May, Director of Athletics for Saint Louis University. “There is an unparalleled history between SLU and SIUE in men’s soccer, and we are excited to showcase the Bronze Boot match on this stage.”

“SIUE Athletics is excited to partner with Saint Louis University and St. Louis CITY SC in this showcase of high-level men’s and women’s college soccer,” said Andrew Gavin, Director of Athletics for SIUE. “CITYPARK and St. Louis CITY SC are amazing new additions to our community. The state-of-the-art CITYPARK provides a fitting venue for the next chapter of the historic Bronze Boot rivalry.”

The Bronze Boot has seen many soccer greats and current MLS players

The Bronze Boot has seen many players from both institutions play in this longstanding rivalry.

Among them are St. Louisans and soccer greats Chris Carenza, Al Trost, Dan Flynn, Brian McBride, Tim Twellman, and Ed Huneke. Serving in good company are current CITY SC players John Klein and AJ Palazzolo. All of these players would see time played in the Bronze Boot during their collegiate careers.

The Billikens own a 27-9-3 advantage in the men’s overall series. This includes a 23-5-3 lead in the Bronze Boot series. Since the series was brought back in 2018, three out of four games have gone to overtime. The Cougars’ last win in the series came in 1982.

The women’s teams have played eight times since 2011. SLU women’s soccer has a 6-1-1 edge in the series.

Bronze Boot ticket information

General admission tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning at noon on Monday, July 31. Tickets will be available for $20. A group option of $10 per person for groups of ten or more is also available. One ticket provides access to both matches.

Group tickets are available by contacting CITY SC at (314) 924-6800. They can also place orders online.

CITY SC season ticket and myCITY+ members will be able to access presale offers beginning at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. respectively.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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