Last year, a pair of USL Championship clubs pulled off runs to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal. One, New Mexico United, were among the standout expansion sides of any league in 2019. The second quarterfinalist from the USL was Saint Louis FC, representing a city that was enjoying its own share of positive soccer momentum.



In fact, 2019 seemed like the year that one of the country’s most historic soccer cities finally reasserted its prominent place. Not only did the active second-division club make a cup run, but the city secured a long-coveted MLS expansion spot via a separate ownership group. After years of relative obscurity in the national soccer landscape, it seemed poised to be ready for a renaissance.



As 2020 begins, the MLS expansion team is still set to begin play in 2022, but the broader outlook isn’t so rosy. League sources have indicated that Saint Louis FC has been approaching 2020 as if it will be the club’s final season. That...