Professional soccer is back in St. Louis for the first time in nearly two decades.
St. Louis City leads the Western Conference in its inaugural season.
They may be a new team, but a familiar name to the Ozarks is a big part of City’s success this season.
“A dream come true in so many ways,” said former Missouri State Bear Kyle Hiebert.
The ex-Bear has helped St. Louis in what’s become a dream season for the new club.
“It seems like it just keeps getting better and better and better,” Hiebert said.
The former Bear has thrived for St. Louis, even scoring a game-winning goal. However, he specializes on defense.
“Kyle is a great teammate and does just about whatever is necessary for his teammates and for the team,” said St. Louis City Head Coach Bradley Carnell. “He’s got the confidence and ability to move his feet, take up the run, get his body in between, block the pass and move on from there, and then get the ball to the next guy.”
Those are all skills he perfected while at Missouri State.
“Year after year (he was) one of the best defenders, best players we had in the conference,” said former Missouri State Soccer Coach Jon Leamy.
But Hiebert, a three-time Missouri Valley Defender of the Year had to earn his spot in the MLS.
“I signed with the second team in 2022, it was kind of a year trial and then a year season. It was a step up from college and it made this transition a lot easier,” Hiebert said.
Hiebert is the 11th Missouri State alum to play in the MLS, proving there’s a path from Springfield to the pros.
“To be able to carry the banner not only for Missouri State but for college soccer in general and say ‘this is a viable pathway to the pros’ is something that I take seriously, and I enjoy.,” he said. “It’s what you grow up wanting to do is play pro soccer, so every day I wake up I thank God for the opportunity that I have to do what I get to do.”
