ST. LOUIS, MO (June 24, 2010) – AC St. Louis announced today that the club and Claude Anelka finalized an agreement to cease his responsibility as head coach. Dale Schilly has agreed to become the club’s new head coach. Schilly, along with his staff, will begin serving in that capacity immediately.

AC St. Louis, under Claude Anelka, was 2-7-1 in U.S.S.F. Division 2 Professional League play. The club currently stands in last place in the NASL Conference of the league. AC St. Louis did recently advance to the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and will play the Los Angeles Galaxy on Tuesday, June 29, in Carson, California.

“We are excited to be able to announce Dale Schilly as our new head coach,” stated General Manager Tim Owens. “His knowledge of the game and his tireless work ethic will benefit AC St. Louis on and off the field.”

“I am thankful for the opportunity and eager to work with professional level players,” said Schilly. “It is particularly exciting to coach in my hometown, and to create an environment that people want to be a part of.”

Schilly is a longtime fixture in soccer in St. Louis and Illinois. He has overseen the club formerly known as Metro United, now St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois, for the past 15 years. Schilly has 14 years of experience as a head coach with the Region II Olympic Development program, and has over 25 years of coaching experience at the youth and collegiate levels. Dale Schilly has named John Vanbuskirk, Tim Leonard, and Blake Decker as assistant coaches.

John Vanbuskirk, originally from Granite City, played professionally in Germany for 13 years, and coached in Germany for one year. Vanbuskirk played collegiately at Indiana University, and appeared in an NCAA Final for the Hoosiers.

Tim Leonard played at St. Louis University, and played professionally for the St. Louis Ambush as well as Hershey and Nashville in the “A” League. Leonard serves as the Director of the US Development Academy for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri.

Blake Decker serves as the Assistant Director of the US Development Academy Program for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro, and is the Director of Player Development for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois. Decker played collegiately at Westminster College.

AC St. Louis’ next home match in U.S.S.F. league play is this Saturday night, June 26, when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 1-888-STL-GOAL, or by clicking on the “tickets” tab at www.ac-stlouis.com.