Soccer Powerhouse

Soccer Powerhouse

By Johann Arnason Updated: May 21, 2015

Sporting STL and AC Porta Via, two of the premier youth soccer organizations in the St. Louis area, have merged, Pat Howe, director of communications for Sporting STL, announced last week. Tryouts for the Sporting STL united club will be held June 13, 2015 at the SPORTPORT INTERNATIONAL fields in Maryland Heights.

Sporting STL, which is led by legendary coach Tommy Howe, adds to its leadership ranks the likes of Paul Zarky, Brian Landry, Jim Gianopulos and Tommy Holmes in the partnership with AC Porta Via.

“The combination of the two clubs is extremely powerful,” said Tommy Howe. “Our players should see the benefit from the coaching experience the two clubs have as well as from our new home,” he added.

AC Porta Via’s player development track record is impressive. In 2014 alone, AC Porta Via delivered 15 of its most recent alumni to a roster at the collegiate level. Combined with Tommy Howe’s coaching accomplishments of leading teams to seven national club championships and 14 regional titles, as well as having many of his players succeed on professional teams, the U.S. National Team and numerous collegiate teams, Sporting STL will have unrivalled coaching strength.

The merging of the two organizations also comes at a time when Sporting STL has found a new home at Sportport in Maryland Heights. Recently re-branded SPORTPORT INTERNATIONAL, the facility is undergoing significant renovations which include four new turf fields, additional parking, improved access and a number of additional amenities which will be completed this summer.

Go to www.sportingstl.com now to register for tryouts for the 2015-2016 season, June 13 at SPORTPORT INTERNATIONAL.