Learn why St. Louis is the soccer capital of the United States from Dave Lange, author of “Soccer Made in St. Louis: A History of the Game in America’s First Soccer Capital,” from Reedy Press. Special guest Pat McBride will discuss St. Louis soccer, past, present and future, from his perspective as a U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer who excelled at the highest levels of the sport as a player and a coach. McBride was one of the few American-born standouts in the foreign-dominated North American Soccer League, where he was a three-time all-league selection. He captained the United States in World Cup qualifying. He was a two-time All-American at St. Louis University, where he is the Billikens’ fifth all-time leading scorer despite being limited to three seasons at a time when freshmen could not compete in college varsity sports. He was the National Junior College Athletic Association coach of the year at Meramec Community College and the Major Indoor Soccer League coach of the year with the St. Louis Steamers. McBride is one of 34 St. Louis players, coaches and administrators in national soccer halls of fame, and one of 78 St. Louisans who have played at least one game for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams. The story of soccer in St. Louis reaches at least as far back as 1872, when Irish and Scottish immigrants played, then passed on the sport to generation after generation of St. Louis-born players who won 90 national championships. The saga of St. Louis soccer continues today with St. Louis CITY Soccer Club, which plays before sellout crowds in a dazzling facility that has remade Downtown West. This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. Seating is limited; early arrival is highly recommended. Books for signing will be available for purchase. For more information, please call the St. Louis County Library at 314-994-3300.