ST. LOUIS–It’s the MLS match that fans have had circled on their calendars for a while and after years of anticipation, soccer and civic pride, and a cease and desist letter, has finally arrived.

St. Louis City SC hosts Sporting Kansas City at CityPark Saturday.

After starting the season 5-0, St. Louis is 1-4 with a tie in its last six MLS contests, and also suffered back-to-back defeats against Chicago in MLS and U.S. Open Cup play. Kansas City is 2-7 with four ties in MLS play.

The team will host a block party on Friday and Saturday nights on Lou Fusz Plaza outside CityPark.

Friday night’s event, which features music from The Gin Blossoms, Natalie Jane and Charlotte Sands, required free tickets and is already “sold out”. Gates open Friday at 6pm. 

Saturday’s block party and Supporter Street Party is open to the public. Gates to Lou Fusz Plaza open at 5 pm. Saturday’s events include a DJ with live music and photos with the Hermann Trophy, awarded by the Missouri Athletic Club to honor the NCAA Division I men and women’s soccer Player of the Year.

The team also promises fan giveaways plus “surprise entertainment and activities” on Saturday.

CityPark doors open at 7 p.m.

Fans with Sporting KC gear are encouraged to drop it off at a “pop-up” shop at the City Garage or Olive and 21st street. The items will be donated to a Kansas City charity. The first 100 people who give up their KC gear will get a $10 gift card to the CITY Pavilion store.

Pregame festivities inside the stadium will also stoke the rivalry, with the Supporters section raising banners highlighting the fact that Sporting Kansas City issued a cease-and-desist letter to stop a St. Louis fan podcast from using the name “Soccer Capitol”.

Tickets were still available starting at $100 as of Thursday afternoon.

Saturday’s match is the first time City SC will be featured on television in addition to Apple TV. The match airs on FS1.