Over the past two years, I’ve noticed how much energy and pride have grown around professional soccer in the St. Louis region. As a college soccer player myself, I’m especially drawn to the rise of St. Louis City SC and the atmosphere surrounding matches at CITYPARK. Soccer has always been part of St. Louis’s identity, but the arrival of a Major League Soccer team seems to have reshaped how the city expresses that identity. This observation led me to think more critically about the relationship between professional sports, community pride, and urban development.
Research Question:
How has the creation of St. Louis City SC influenced local identity, community engagement, and economic development in the St. Louis region?
The problem arises from a broader question about whether professional sports teams truly strengthen local communities or primarily serve commercial interests. While many argue that new stadiums and franchises stimulate economic growth and civic unity, others suggest the benefits are unevenly distributed. I want to examine this tension specifically in the St. Louis context. My approach will frame the team not just as a sports organization, but as a cultural institution that shapes narratives about the city’s future, diversity, and global connection through soccer.
Primary Source:
St. Louis City SC. “About CITY SC.” St. Louis City SC Official Website, 2023, https://www.stlcitysc.com.
This source provides direct insight into how the organization presents its mission, values, and community initiatives.
Secondary Source:
Smith, Andrew Zimbalist. “Sports Facilities and Urban Development.” Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 10, no. 3, 1996, pp. 95–114.
This article analyzes the economic arguments surrounding professional sports franchises and urban growth, which will help contextualize the St. Louis case.
Proposed Technology:
I plan to create an interactive StoryMap that combines maps, images, and short written analysis. The map will visualize the location of CITYPARK within downtown St. Louis, nearby businesses, and redevelopment projects. By integrating geographic data with narrative, the project will demonstrate how the stadium’s presence reshapes physical and cultural space. This digital format will allow viewers to see spatial relationships and community impact in a way that a traditional essay could not, aligning with the project rubric’s emphasis on argument, sources, and meaningful technological integration.