Aug. 11 (1987)

The St. Louis Steamers win one and lose one in bids to sign two top St. Louis players. Coming off a 19-33 season, the Major Indoor Soccer League team adds midfielder Perry Van Der Beck, the 1985 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, and gamble by waiving their 1986-87 most valuable player, midfielder Mark Frederickson (pictured). The Steamers waived Frederickson the previous Thursday without announcing the move, hoping he would not be claimed by another team and could be re-signed by the Steamers. If successful, the gambit would allow the Steamers to avoid guaranteeing his current contract, which is entering its option year. With a crowd at midfield, thanks to the signing of Van Der Beck and the earlier signing of future Indoor Soccer Hall of Famer Daryl Doran, the Steamers want to move Frederickson to defender and fear they will have to pay him for the 1987-88 season if he does not make the team. But the Los Angeles Lazers claim Frederickson for the $100 waiver fee one hour before he would have cleared waivers on Aug. 11. Frederickson becomes the third St. Louisan to join the Lazers since Feb. 20, when they traded Poli Garcia and St. Louisan Jim Kavanaugh to the Steamers for Don Ebert and Steve Pecher. Frederickson will play for the Lazers until 1989, while the Steamers will go out of business after the 1987-88 season. Frederickson will return to St. Louis to play for the new St. Louis Storm MISL franchise in 1989. He will retire in 1992, having played 11 seasons in the MISL with four teams.