# Steve Trittschuh

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American soccer coach and former player (born 1965)

Steve Trittschuh Personal information Full name Stephen Trittschuh Date of birth (1965-04-24) April 24, 1965 (age 61) Place of birth Granite City, Illinois, U.S. Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Position Defender College career Years Team Apps (Gls) 1983–1986 SIU Edwardsville Cougars Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 1987–1988 St. Louis Steamers (indoor) 37 (5) 1988–1989 Busch Seniors 1989–1990 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1990–1991 Sparta Prague 13 (1) 1991–1992 Tampa Bay Rowdies 23 (2) 1992–1993 SVV Dordrecht 1993 Tampa Bay Rowdies 23 (7) 1994 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1994–1995 St. Louis Ambush (indoor) 31 (1) 1995 Montreal Impact 22 (3) 1995–1996 Tampa Bay Terror (indoor) 6 (2) 1996–1999 Colorado Rapids 98 (11) 1999–2001 Tampa Bay Mutiny 64 (7) Total 317 (39) International career 1987–1995 United States 37 (2) Managerial career 1989 SIU Edwardsville Cougars (assistant) 2002–2006 Colorado Rapids (assistant) 2015–2019 Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2020 Saint Louis FC Medal record Representing United States (as player) Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 1991 Runner-up CONCACAF Championship 1989 Men's Soccer * Club domestic league appearances and goals

**Stephen "Steve" Trittschuh** (born April 24, 1965) is an American [soccer](/source/Association_football) coach and former player who most recently served as head coach of [USL Championship](/source/USL_Championship) side [Saint Louis FC](/source/Saint_Louis_FC). As a player, he played as a [defender](/source/Defender_(association_football)) in the [Major Indoor Soccer League](/source/MISL_I), [American Professional Soccer League](/source/American_Professional_Soccer_League) and [Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer). He also earned thirty-eight [caps](/source/Cap_(sport)) with the [United States men's national soccer team](/source/United_States_men's_national_soccer_team) including one game at the [1990 FIFA World Cup](/source/1990_FIFA_World_Cup).

## Player

### Youth

Trittschuh is a native of [Granite City, Illinois](/source/Granite_City%2C_Illinois). He played at Granite City High School North for the Steelers under former U.S. national coach [Bob Kehoe](/source/Bob_Kehoe). He earned All State honors his junior and senior year and was a Parade Magazine All American as a senior. Coming out of high school, he was heavily recruited by several top schools, but selected [Southern Illinois University Edwardsville](/source/Southern_Illinois_University_Edwardsville) which he attended on a full ride soccer scholarship. He played for four years for SIUE, scoring 12 goals and assisting 11 others. He earned second-team [All-American](/source/All-America) honors his junior year and first team his senior year. He was a 2011 inductee into the [SIUE](/source/SIU_Edwardsville_Cougars) Athletic Hall of Fame.[1]

### Professional

In 1987, the [St. Louis Steamers](/source/St._Louis_Steamers_(1979%E2%80%9388)) selected Trittschuh in the second round of the [Major Indoor Soccer League](/source/MISL_I) draft. He played one season with the Steamers, then filed for free agency in April 1987 when the Steamers ceased operations.[2]

That summer, he played for the [U.S. national team](/source/United_States_men's_national_soccer_team) as it prepared for and then played at the [1988 Summer Olympics](/source/1988_Summer_Olympics).[3] In October 1988, the [United States Soccer Federation](/source/United_States_Soccer_Federation) signed American players to the national team. Trittschuh was among fourteen players signed by the USSF.[4]

From the spring of 1988 through the spring of 1989, Trittschuh played for the amateur Busch Seniors of St. Louis when not playing for the Olympic or national teams.

On May 4, 1989, he signed on loan with the [Tampa Bay Rowdies](/source/Tampa_Bay_Rowdies_(1975%E2%80%9393)) of the [American Soccer League](/source/American_Soccer_League_(1988%E2%80%9389)).[5][6] He continued with the Rowdies as the team played in the newly formed [American Professional Soccer League](/source/American_Professional_Soccer_League).[7]

In 1990, his career took an unexpected turn. Trittschuh played a single game for the [United States men's national soccer team](/source/United_States_men's_national_soccer_team) at the [1990 FIFA World Cup](/source/1990_FIFA_World_Cup) in a 5–1 loss to [Czechoslovakia](/source/Czechoslovakia_national_football_team). While the national team was thrashed, Trittschuh caught the attention of the Czechoslovakia's assistant coach, the head coach of Czech powerhouse club [Sparta Prague](/source/AC_Sparta_Prague). Sparta Prague offered Trittschuh a contract, which he accepted. At the time the Soviet Union and its eastern bloc allies, including Czechoslovakia were transitioning from communism to democracy. This brought an exceptional level of turmoil which also affected professional soccer in the region. As a result, eastern teams were searching for talent to replace players who were moving to play in Western Europe.[8] Trittschuh was one of just three foreign players in the [Czechoslovak First League](/source/Czechoslovak_First_League) in the 1990–91 season, alongside Zambian [Timothy Mwitwa](/source/Timothy_Mwitwa), who also played for Sparta Prague, and [Aleksandr Bokiy](/source/Aleksandr_Bokiy) of the USSR, who played for [Sigma Olomouc](/source/SK_Sigma_Olomouc).[9] While Trittschuh played only a single season for Sparta Prague, he helped them win their league championship. He also became the first U.S. player to play in the [European Cup](/source/UEFA_Champions_League).[9]

At the end of the season, he returned to the Rowdies for two seasons.[10][11]

In the fall of 1992, Trittschuh signed with Dutch club [SVV Dordrecht](/source/FC_Dordrecht). As he recounts it, he was in competition with two Finnish players for a spot on the club and he won. He became a regular starter for the team, but towards the end of the season the club ran out of money and stopped paying Trittschuh, so he returned to the U.S.

In the spring of 1993, he rejoined the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

On April 6, 1994, he moved to the [Fort Lauderdale Strikers](/source/Fort_Lauderdale_Strikers_(1988%E2%80%9394)) of the [American Professional Soccer League](/source/American_Professional_Soccer_League).[12]

On November 30, 1994, he signed with the [St. Louis Ambush](/source/St._Louis_Ambush_(NPSL)) of the [National Professional Soccer League](/source/NPSL_II) (NPSL).[13][14] That year he earned another championship when the Ambush took the NPSL crown.

In 1995, he moved to the [Montreal Impact](/source/Montreal_Impact_(1992%E2%80%932011)) of the APSL. In 1995, the new U.S. soccer league, [Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer) (MLS) approached Trittschuh about joining the league. He agreed but had to buy out the final year of his contract with the Impact, for $10,000. When he left the Impact, he finished his APSL (now [USL First Division](/source/USL_First_Division)) as a 5 time all star.

In November 1995, he joined the [Tampa Bay Terror](/source/Tampa_Bay_Terror) of the NPSL.[15]

In 1996, Trittschuh joined the new [Colorado Rapids](/source/Colorado_Rapids). In 1997, the team reached the [1997 MLS Cup](/source/MLS_Cup_1997), falling to 2–1 to [D.C. United](/source/D.C._United). He had a solid three seasons with the Rapids playing in the sweeper position. At the beginning of the 1999 season, Rapids coach [Glenn Myernick](/source/Glenn_Myernick) moved [Marcelo Balboa](/source/Marcelo_Balboa) into the sweeper position. As a result, through the first 8 games of the 1999 season, Trittschuh never left the bench.

On June 14, 1999, the Rapids traded Trittschuh to the [Tampa Bay Mutiny](/source/Tampa_Bay_Mutiny) for midfielder/forward Guillermo Jara.[16] Trittschuh would go on to play 64 regular and post-season games for the Mutiny.

In 2001, he retired from active playing and was hired by the Colorado Rapids as an assistant coach, serving for four years and leading the reserve team to the 2006 MLS reserve title.

As of 2013, he is the technical director of Denver's Colorado Storm youth team.[17]

### National team

Trittschuh also had a long and successful national team career. In 1987, he was selected to play for the [U.S. national team](/source/United_States_men's_national_soccer_team). He made his national team debut against Egypt at the [1987 President's Cup](/source/1987_President's_Cup). He also played for the national team at the [1987 Pan American Games](/source/1987_Pan_American_Games).

In 1988, he was a member of the U.S. team which went 1–1–1 at the [Seoul Olympics](/source/Seoul_Olympics). As previously mentioned, he was a member of the U.S. team at the [1990 FIFA World Cup](/source/1990_FIFA_World_Cup) and played the full 90 minutes in their opening game against Czechoslovakia.[18] He was also a member of the [1991 Gold Cup](/source/1991_CONCACAF_Gold_Cup) championship team. In 1995, he played his last game with the national team, against [Saudi Arabia](/source/Saudi_Arabia_national_football_team).

## Coach

In 1989, Trittschuh served as an assistant coach with the [Southern Illinois University Edwardsville](/source/Southern_Illinois_University_Edwardsville) men's soccer team.[19] In 2003, he became an assistant coach with the [Colorado Rapids](/source/Colorado_Rapids).

He was named head coach of [USL](/source/United_Soccer_League)'s [Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC](/source/Colorado_Springs_Switchbacks_FC) in advance of their inaugural 2015 season.[20]

In January 2020, Trittschuh was named head coach of [Saint Louis FC](/source/Saint_Louis_FC).[21]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["SIUE"](http://www.siuecougars.com/hallfame/classof2011.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** "SEVEN STEAMERS FILE FOR FREE AGENCY SPECIAL TO THE POST-DISPATCH" *St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)* Wednesday, April 27, 1988

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** "TRITTSCHUH EARNS BERTH" *St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)* Friday, August 5, 1988

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** "U.S. forms permanent national soccer team" *St. Petersburg Times* Friday, October 28, 1988

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** "Rowdies find help, sign three veteran players" *St. Petersburg Times* Friday, May 5, 1989

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [1989 Tampa Bay Rowdies](http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1989/statsasl89.htm#TB)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [1990 Tampa Bay Rowdies](http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1990/statsasl90.htm#TB)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** "Second Chance ...Czechs Didn't Give Up On Trittschuh" *St. Louis Post-Dispatch* Saturday, August 18, 1990

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-idnes18_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-idnes18_9-1) Novák, Miloslav (July 31, 2018). ["Když byli Trittschuh a Mwitwa exoti. Teď Sparta složí tým jen z cizinců"](https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/prvni-liga/sparta-cizinci-zahranicni-hraci-v-sestave.A180730_164339_fotbal_min). *idnes.cz* (in Czech). Retrieved September 9, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [1991 Tampa Bay Rowdies](http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1991/stats91.htm#TB)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [1992 Tampa Bay Rowdies](http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1992/stats92.htm#TB)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** "STRIKERS SIGN SIX PLAYERS" *Miami Herald* Thursday, April 7, 1994

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** "VETERAN DEFENDER TRITTSCHUH SIGNS WITH AMBUSH" *St. Louis Post-Dispatch* Thursday, December 1, 1994

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE FINAL OFFICIAL STATISTICS – 1994–1995](http://www.howesportsdata.com/howesportsdata/stats/soccer/misl/misl95.txt) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130903221618/http://www.howesportsdata.com/howesportsdata/stats/soccer/misl/misl95.txt) September 3, 2013, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE FINAL OFFICIAL STATISTICS – 1995–1996](http://www.howesportsdata.com/howesportsdata/stats/soccer/misl/misl96.txt) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927231247/http://www.howesportsdata.com/howesportsdata/stats/soccer/misl/misl96.txt) September 27, 2007, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Ward, Bill (June 19, 1999). ["Mutiny revive Trittschuh's career"](https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tampatribune/access/42515955.html?dids=42515955:42515955&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+19%2C+1999&author=BILL+WARD&pub=Tampa+Tribune&desc=Mutiny+revive+Trittschuh%27s+career&pqatl=google). *[The Tampa Tribune](/source/The_Tampa_Tribune)*. Retrieved September 22, 2009.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["What Ever Happened to: Steve Trittschuh"](http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2012/03/what-ever-happened-to-steve-trittschuh.html). March 19, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Steve Trittschuh](https://web.archive.org/web/20150905/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=44702/index.html) – [FIFA](/source/FIFA) competition record (archived)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** "National Players Help Collegians" *St. Louis Post-Dispatch* Saturday, October 21, 1989

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["United Soccer Leagues (USL)"](http://uslsoccer.com/home/794077.html). Retrieved March 13, 2014.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["CHANGE AT THE TOP: Trittschuh Appointed at STLFC"](https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1075260). *uslchampionship.com*. January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.

## External links

- [MISL stats](http://www.nasljerseys.com/MISL/Players/S/Trittschuh.Steve.htm)

v t e Saint Louis FC – head coaches Schilly (2015–16) Leonard (interim) (2016) Preki (2017) Pulis (2018–19) Trittschuh (2020–)

United States squads v t e United States soccer squad – 1988 Summer Olympics 1 Vanole 2 Trittschuh 3 Doyle 4 Crow 5 Windischmann 6 Klopas 7 Gabarra 8 Davis (c) 9 Goulet 10 Vermes 11 Eichmann 12 Krumpe 13 Harkes 14 Stollmeyer 15 Ramos 16 Murray 17 Armstrong 18 Duback 19 Bliss 20 Caligiuri Coach: Osiander v t e United States squad – 1990 FIFA World Cup 1 Meola 2 Trittschuh 3 Doyle 4 Banks 5 Windischmann (c) 6 Harkes 7 Ramos 8 Bliss 9 Sullivan 10 Vermes 11 Wynalda 12 Krumpe 13 Eichmann 14 Stollmeyer 15 Armstrong 16 Murray 17 Balboa 18 Keller 19 Henderson 20 Caligiuri 21 Covone 22 Vanole Coach: Gansler v t e United States squad – 1991 North American Nations Cup runners-up 1 Meola 2 Trittschuh 3 Lalas 4 Banks 5 Agoos 7 Santel 8 Kinnear 9 Rammel 10 Vermes 11 Wynalda 12 Krumpe 13 Dodd 14 Dayak 15 Washington 16 Murray 17 Balboa 19 Henderson 21 Clavijo Coach: Kowalski v t e United States squad – 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup winners (1st title) 1 Meola 2 Trittschuh 3 Michallik 4 Murray 5 Eck 6 Harkes 7 Pérez 8 Kinnear 10 Vermes (c) 11 Wynalda 14 Quinn 15 Armstrong 16 Doyle 17 Balboa 18 Keller 19 Henderson 20 Caligiuri 21 Clavijo 22 Savage Coach: Milutinović

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Steve Trittschuh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Trittschuh) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Trittschuh?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.