Quick Hits - Holiday Edition!

Happy Holidays from acstl.org!

*I purchased the Club Level seats this week for AC St. Louis 2010 season, looks like they're planning for about 14 home dates. Season tickets are available now, what are you waiting for? Be there from Day 1!

*Jeff Cooper's Christmas message to the near 8000 AC St. Louis fans on Facebook was top-notch, and a great indication of what kind of "fan's owner" he is going to be. This level of open communication is absolutely ideal, and much appreciated.

*Not a lot of NASL news right now in general, due to a temporary USSF gag order in place.

*In between the 1,000,000 articles about acstl.org's least favorite MLS player, Landon Donovan, and his impending loan to Everton, we found some stories of note:

-Kartik down in Florida reports that his sources are saying that whatever the compromise USSF comes up with, no currently active NASL or USL team will have to close up shop for 2010.

-After Freddie Ljungberg's spot-on rant about MLS field conditions, it's disappointing that Portland's opting for Field Turf. (Thanks, Match Fit USA)

-Some more information is available about the new Minnesota Division 2 pro soccer club over at Inside Minnesota Soccer.

-The Sounder At Heart blog has a cool idea for eliminating MLS' designated player rule.

-Here's hoping an exciting player like David Villa ends up in the Premier League during the upcoming transfer window.

*Completely unrelated and off-topic, but for you music fans, my year-end Top Albums list is over at http://supersonicstl.com

Photos from Today's Press Conference

The ACSTL logo is revealed.

The ACSTL logo from the podium

The team's name and wordmark.

ACSTL owner Jeff Cooper addresses the audience.

Saint Louis soccer broadcast Bill McDermott at the podium.

Thanks to Brad DeMunbrun for the photos.

Welcome AC Saint Louis!

Saint Louis is officially back in the business of men's pro soccer today. With American soccer broadcast legend Bill McDermott as master of ceremonies, AC St. Louis owner Jeff Cooper revealed his new club to a very full conference room at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park.

Several St. Louis soccer luminaries were in the house, including former U.S. Men's National Team (including two players from the 1950 team who defeated England) and North American Soccer League legends.

Besides introducing board members, AC St. Louis also introduced their head coach (also known as the manager to you football fans) Claude Anelka, a man with a lot to prove after a recent short tenure at Raith Rovers FC in Scotland. Also announced was the team's director of player development, Fernando Filho, a Brazilian known most recently for his work with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.