Steve Pecher
Encyclopedia
Steve Pecher is a retired U.S. soccer defender
who is currently the Director of the St. Louis/Busch Soccer Club.
where he played on the national junior college championship team in 1975. He was a junior college All American both years at Florissant.
of the North American Soccer League
(NASL) signed Pecher. That season he was named the 1976 NASL Rookie of the Year. He remained with the club through the 1980 season. By 1980, Pecher had begun a transition to indoor soccer when he joined the St. Louis Steamers
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL) for the 1979-1980 season. He was an 1980 MISL All Star with the Steamers. He remained with the Steamers through the 1983-1984 season. Pecher became a free agent in August 1984 and on September 11, 1984, he signed with the Kansas City Comets
. He began the 1985-1986 season in Kansas City, but the Comets traded him to the Steamers for Stuart Lee
in December 1985. He would remain with the Steamers until they traded him and Don Ebert
on February 20, 1987 to the Los Angeles Lazers
in exchange for Poli Garcia
and Jim Kavanaugh. He retired at the end of the 1987-1988 season.
from 1976 to 1980. He made his first appearance with the national team in a September 24, 1976, tie with Canada
. He played his last game with the U.S. national team in a November 9, 1980, loss to Mexico
.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who is currently the Director of the St. Louis/Busch Soccer Club.
Youth and college
Pecher began playing soccer with the youth club, Florissant Cougers, then with his high school team at Normandy High School in St. Louis. He was part of the team which took the Missouri state championship in 1974, his senior year. He was also All State both his junior and senior years. The next year attended Florissant Valley Community CollegeSt. Louis Community College
St. Louis Community College is the Missouri two-year college supported by the Junior College District of St. Louis City – St. Louis County. The three original campuses were built simultaneously in 1964: Florissant Valley , Forest Park , and Meramec . A fourth campus, Wildwood opened in August 2007...
where he played on the national junior college championship team in 1975. He was a junior college All American both years at Florissant.
Professional
In 1976, the Dallas TornadoDallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL) signed Pecher. That season he was named the 1976 NASL Rookie of the Year. He remained with the club through the 1980 season. By 1980, Pecher had begun a transition to indoor soccer when he joined the St. Louis Steamers
St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL) for the 1979-1980 season. He was an 1980 MISL All Star with the Steamers. He remained with the Steamers through the 1983-1984 season. Pecher became a free agent in August 1984 and on September 11, 1984, he signed with the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
. He began the 1985-1986 season in Kansas City, but the Comets traded him to the Steamers for Stuart Lee
Stuart Lee
Stuart Lee is a former English football forward. He played professionally in England, Wales and the United States.-Player:...
in December 1985. He would remain with the Steamers until they traded him and Don Ebert
Don Ebert
Don Ebert is a retired U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career with two indoor clubs, the St. Louis Steamers and the Los Angeles Lazers.-Youth:Ebert attended Rosary High School Missouri...
on February 20, 1987 to the Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers were a soccer team based out of Los Angeles that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1982 to 1989.-History:Major Indoor Soccer League awarded a Los Angeles franchise to Jerry Buss on June 24, 1982. Buss had purchased the Philadelphia Fever and wanted to move it to...
in exchange for Poli Garcia
Poli Garcia
Jose “Poli” Garcia is a former U.S. soccer player. He spent at least four seasons in the American Soccer League, three in the North American Soccer League and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
and Jim Kavanaugh. He retired at the end of the 1987-1988 season.
National team
Pecher earned 17 caps with the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
from 1976 to 1980. He made his first appearance with the national team in a September 24, 1976, tie with Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
. He played his last game with the U.S. national team in a November 9, 1980, loss to Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
.