15.11.2022Bayer 04

#Bayer04USATour – Alonso "more than excited" by new CITYPARK Stadium in St. Louis

"This day will go down in the history of the club and stay in our memories for a long time." John Hackworth, coach of St. Louis CITY SC, chose emotional words when thinking of the forthcoming friendly against Bayer 04. Ahead of the clash with the Werkself, the future MLS team not only meet "a really great team" but they will also inaugurate the newly built CITYPARK Stadium. Over 22,000 fans will be at the game on Wednesday evening local time (kick-off: 19.00/02.00 CET 17 November). Bayer 04 head coach Xabi Alonso was full of praise for the stadium ahead of the match and he is expecting an exceptional atmosphere.

An inaugural match is "always something very special," said Xabi Alonso at the pre-match press conference in St. Louis on Tuesday. "We are very much looking forward to the match and feel great enthusiasm for football in this region. The community here will remember this game for a very long time."

After the first training session in St Louis at the training ground of the new MLS team on Monday, the Werkself completed the final pre-match training session on the pitch at the CITYPARK stadium. Head coach Xabi Alonso and his players were able to gain a first impression of the venue. "I'm excited by this stadium – it's not too big and not too small," said the Spaniard. "The fans will produce a great atmosphere here at the very first game. I'm sure of that."

Alonso: "we feel great support for us here"

The Werkself came on the #Bayer04USATour on the back of three wins in succession in the Bundesliga. Xabi Alonso has seen great progress in the Werkself over the past few weeks. But the 2010 World Cup winner believes his team is still a long way from their objectives. "We use every day to help the team grow. Last week with the three wins obviously did us good. But we have to improve and take the many small steps we still have in front of us."

Hackworth: "great experience for our players"

The hosts St Louis CITY SC look forward with great excitement to their first home match in the newly built stadium. The club from Missouri have already played three friendlies in the past few weeks. According to coach John Hackworth all of those matches were "approached very professionally. Now in the last friendly before our start in the MLS we face a great team in Leverkusen."

In the clash with the Werkself, the St. Louis CITY SC team will contain experienced players like goalkeeper Roman Bürki (formerly at Borussia Dortmund) and other former Bundesliga players as well as young talents from different countries. Hackworth: "The match against such a big Bundesliga club as Leverkusen will be a great experience for our players. They will meet this challenge. A fantastic evening awaits for the players, the club club and the fans."

Here is all the #Bayer04USATour info

Related News

Club - 26.05.2026

Successful season finale: Members event at the BayArena

Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.

Bayer 04 - 25.05.2026

Season review 2025/26, part II: Highs and lows of an eventful season

Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.

Bayer 04 - 25.05.2026

Rogier Meijer leaves Bayer 04 to join Sparta Rotterdam as head coach

Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.

Bayer 04 - 24.05.2026

2025/26 season review, part I: Upheaval, change, euphoria

Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.