July 22 (1974)

Using an all-St. Louis lineup, the St. Louis Stars defeat West German powerhouse Werder Bremen, 1-0, before 8,228 fans at Busch Stadium. The game’s only goal comes from Mike Seerey (pictured) off Jim Bokern’s corner kick in the 37th minute. The outcome marks Werder Bremen’s first defeat in four North and Central American tours. “We have played 16 teams on this continent and won 20 times and have had three ties,” Werder Bremen manager Hans Wolff tells Harold Flachsbart of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “This is the best team we have met. They were quick and after the opening minutes seemed to be in control of the game.” Werder Bremen posted a 15-8-11 record in the Bundesliga in the 1973-74 season. The Stars, meanwhile, have only a 4-11-1 record in the NASL. The Stars’ friendly with Werder Bremen is the closing event of the St. Louis Strassenfest, an annual event that celebrated St. Louis’ German heritage. Werder Bremen will develop an even closer connection to St. Louis when it signs St. Louis native Josh Sargent to a professional contract on his 18th birthday on Feb. 20, 2018. Sargent will score 13 goals in 72 appearances for Werder Bremen from 2018-2021.