The soccer world is in mourning after Pat McBride, a legend of the game, died at the age of 81 on Wednesday. A pioneer of the game, he was the first American-born player to be drafted by the Saint Louis Stars in the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). Born on November 13th, 1943 he spent his career with St. Louis Stars and is also an inductee of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Pat McBride also made 5 appearances for the USMNT. 

Known for his outstanding coaching and passion for the game, McBride left a lasting impact on players and fans alike. As one of the first professional American players, he paved the way for the sport’s growth in the country. Post his playing career, Pat McBride coached St. Louis Streamers and Kansas City Comets. 

Growing up, he played for his parish school team (St. Louis) in the Catholic Youth leagues and later attended St. Louis University from 1963 to 1967, where he played for the university team known as Saint Louis Billikens. During his time at college, McBride bagged 46 goals and 38 assists for the team.

“A lot of things fell into place for me over the years,” McBride once told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “As a player, I felt that coaching was my future, so I watched and I learned. As a coach, I was keen on giving the American players an opportunity to show what they could do and was lucky enough to coach some great ones.”

Pat McBride began his coaching career as Bob Guelker’s assistant at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, leading the team to an undefeated season and the 1972 NCAA College Division title. He later coached the St. Louis Steamers and Kansas City Comets in the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) and was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1994. 

McBride truly blazed a trail for soccer in America, laying the groundwork for powerhouse teams like the USMNT and USWNT to thrive, and stars like Pulisic to grow. Fans and folks across the U.S. Soccer community took to social media to honor the legendary player and coach, pouring out heartfelt tributes to the man who helped shape the beautiful game in the States.

Thank you and Rest in Peace, ‘Missouri’s Father of Soccer’

The passing of the two-time first-team All-American for St. Louis Billikens saw fans flood social media with heartfelt tributes, sharing personal memories of McBride. JT Batson, the CEO of US Soccer also shared his condolences on X (formerly known as Twitter). “We thank Pat for his tireless work in service to soccer. All of us at U.S. Soccer mourn the passing of “Missouri’s Father of Soccer.”

Others also shared their experiences meeting the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and NJCAA Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, most of which came from the training camps he held across the country. Many labeled his camps as ‘the highlight of the summer’ and described him as ‘a great guy with a great love for the game.’ One fan wrote, “I attended his soccer camps. He was a great guy. I hope his family knows that we appreciated him.“

“Oh no! What a great man, father, and player—an ambassador of the game. RIP, Pat 🙏,” said one user, highlighting how McBride holds a special place for longtime U.S. soccer fans. “Our CITY will never forget him” were the words of the St. Louis soccer community, for it is the city where he began his career.  

During his time, McBride’s contributions went beyond the pitch, touching lives with dedication and passion. As the soccer community mourns his loss, McBride’s legacy will remain as a cornerstone in US Soccer history. “RIP Legend” echoed a wave of fans across all social media platforms.