/ Modified jun 1, 2010 1:10 p.m.

A Time for Champions

This film explores how St. Louis became a hotbed of American soccer. Wednesday, June 9 at 7p.m. on PBS World.

The film traces the roots of this success to the immigrant tradition and the fierce, competitive style of play that developed in the city's urban, working-class, Roman Catholic neighborhoods.

On June 12, 2010, the United States and England meet in a highly anticipated World Cup match in South Africa.The two teams last played in June of 1950, when the U.S. defeated the English club in one of the great upsets in sports history.

Five of the starters on that championship team hailed from the working-class — and predominantly Roman Catholic — neighborhoods of St. Louis. Their aggressive, fast and tough style set the standard for the way soccer would be played at the national level.

When to Watch

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