MLS has long ignored the cradle of American soccer while cities who had never heard of the game before 1996 recieved franchise approval. The real story is that no party, no funding source of St. Louis came to the fore with a plan. Part of the blame is St. Louis's stubborn pride that condescends to any other place as "too hoosier"to deserve soccer and effectively shoots itself in the foot when attempting a big, innovative project. Of course the inept effort to revive the NFL here and all the wasted attention and energy just stole the from the goal to buy a franchise and pay for a stadium. Maybe now all is changed. Hold your breath for MLS's approval.