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Maybe you’ve picked up the soccer itch from rooting on St. Louis CITY SC during the team’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer. Or perhaps you’re a lapsed player looking to get back on the field. No matter your interest or experience level, there are several soccer leagues and pick-up groups for adults in the St. Louis region. Grab a ball, lace up your boots, and head to the field with the help of one of these local organizations.
Metro East Football Association
Residents of Metro East need not look far for their next game of footy. Metro East FA is open to all players age 18 and up, and you don’t need to live in Illinois to participate. To get started, purchase a $25 player card, which is valid for 12 months. All games are played on Field Turf at the O’Fallon Family Sports Park (301 Obernuefemann, O’Fallon, Illinois). The Fall 8-on-8 season runs annually from around Labor Day through Thanksgiving with a 10-game season for all teams, followed by a bracketed playoff for each division. Games are played on Sundays, beginning September 10 at 6 p.m. Each season—Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall—features three tiers. Division 1 is reserved for those with high-level backgrounds, especially former college, semi-pro, and major club players. Division 2 is for skilled players who seek a slightly less competitive environment. Division 3 is for house teams with players of varying skill levels who simply wish to get on the field and have fun. For team pricing, visit the website.
One of the more established soccer organizations in the St. Louis region, this league started in 1974 as the Fenton Over-30 League. It still caters to a slightly older crowd—half of the squads are over-50 teams. The fall season runs from late August through the first week of December, followed by a 8-on-8 winter season from December through early March. The spring campaign goes from March to mid-June. Games take place at Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex (17925 North Outer 40), O’Fallon Sports Park (3589 State Hwy K, O’Fallon, Missouri), and Fenton City Park (1215 Larkin Williams), among other spots.
If you wish to simply find a crew to join on short notice, the St. Louis Pickup Soccer Facebook group might be your best bet. The group is free to join, and games are free to play. Just be sure to bring both a white and dark shirt (no gray shirts) to the match. Keep in mind, as is the case with most adult recreation leagues, there is no slide tackling. The only other rule: Come prepared to have fun. These games are meant to be light and casual. Group members can vote on preferred games, which take place in Clayton, Forest Park, South County, and occasionally in St. Charles. To learn more, and see the upcoming match schedule, visit the group’s Facebook page.
Vetta offers plenty of options for players of all skill levels, including indoor and outdoor leagues, open play, and more. Outdoor men’s, men’s over-30, and coed leagues run from March to November and feature 10-game seasons. The leagues are divided into four divisions (A Division for elite players, B Division for advanced players, C Division for casual players, and D Division for more social players) to ensure everyone plays at a comfortable level. For those who’d rather not commit to a team, open play is available at Vetta’s Concord, Manchester, and St. Charles locations. It costs $10 per game and you must pre-register online. Be sure to bring a light and dark shirt. See the website for more information.
