Feb. 10, 2015

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SPRINGFIELD - The Missouri State men's soccer team will host the newly formed Saint Louis FC team on Thurs., March 5 for a 6 pm exhibition at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium on Missouri State's campus. The first-year United Soccer Leagues Professional Division (USL PRO) team has ties with MSU's program. The team's General Manager, Jeremy Alumbaugh, was an assistant coach under men's head soccer coach Jon Leamy for five seasons, from 1996-2000, and helped the Bears to two Missouri Valley Conference titles and two NCAA tournament berths.

Saint Louis FC, an affiliate of MLS' Chicago Fire will take on Sporting KC's USL Pro affiliate, Oklahoma City Energy FC in the game. OKC Energy were founded in 2013 and are coached by former Sporting KC goalkeeper and MLS Champion, Jimmy Nielsen. The USL Pro is a 24-team league, with teams spanning across the country.

"The match against Oklahoma City will be a great indicator of where we're at," STL FC Head Coach Dale Schilly said. "We're also excited to be playing at Missouri State's new facility. The neutral site will give fans from both sides a chance to see the game at a great venue."

Doors to the stadium, located at the corner of John Q. Hammons Parkway and Bear Boulevard, will open at 5 p.m., with admission available at the door for $5 a person with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the family of Springfield police officer Aaron Pearson. Kids are welcome to stay following the game for an autograph session with both teams.

Missouri State plans to release the six-game spring schedule on later this week. The two-time defending Missouri Valley Conference champions look to continue their successes following the departure of a strong, eight-man senior class. Several players began training with the program at the start of the semester and will compete for game experience this spring.