How Miguel Perez became a hometown soccer hero and made history at St. Louis City SC

At 17, midfielder Miguel Perez is St. Louis City SC’s youngest player. But his youth bellies his experience. Miguel has been playing soccer for 13 years. Miguel’s parents have fond memories of their son’s early years. At age 4, little Miguel scored a penalty kick. Rather than celebrate, Miguel went back to sucking his thumb, but not for long. “The minute the whistle blew, it was all business,” Miguel’s mother, Jackie, said. “He’d pull that thumb out, go get the ball and score.”

That all-business attitude prepared him for a hectic start to 2023, during which he signed his first professional contract, debuted in Major League Soccer, started his first MLS game, played for the Under-19 United States Men’s National team and scored a goal for his country — all while still enrolled at Pattonville High School.

Miguel starts his day at 7:20 a.m. with English and team sports classes. When his classes are over at 8:45 a.m., he rushes to City’s training facilities in the Downtown West neighborhood. “I train, eat, then I’ll go back home. I’ll take a nap and then do some schoolwork,” Miguel said.