An immigrant soccer league got to leave the weed-filled, dusty and rutty fields they play on in downtown St. Louis and hold their first round of playoffs last weekend at St. Louis University's new athletic complex.

"Ever play on a field like this?" referee Peter Huber, 57, of Chesterfield, asked as the players from teams Real Mississippi and the Halcones (hawks) warmed up on the lush grass field.

Player Alen Hamzabegovic, 26, who emigrated from Bosnia 10 years ago, answered, "For some guys, this is a dream come true."

The championship game will be held Sunday at SLU's Medical Center Stadium, which opened in July. The field is surrounded by an eight-lane track and bleachers for 500 people, with bathrooms and a scoreboard. It sits atop a raised hill near Compton and Chouteau avenues, with a clear view of the Gateway Arch.

"It's an honor because someone is doing something nice for the league," said player Miguel Ochoa, 30, whose father was one of the players who started the league — Liga Latino Americana de Futbol — some 20 years ago.

The adult league started with just four teams of players who came to St. Louis from Mexico. It has grown to 26 teams, with players coming from 15 different countries, including Nepal, East Africa, Guatemala and Thailand, said Alberto Guitierrez, who has been league president for more than 10 years. About 60 percent of the players are Hispanic.

Several Americans — like Justin Walker, 30, of Creve Coeur — also play in the league because of the high-level of play, professional referees and full season from April to October.

"They love soccer as much as America loves baseball. This is their cultural pastime," Walker said. "I would much rather play against people who have a passion for it and play hard."

Walker, who works in human resources for St. Louis University, approached his bosses to see if SLU would be willing to offer the field for the playoffs.

The university saw hosting the games as an opportunity for outreach to the immigrant population with its close partner Casa de Salud, which set up an informational booth beside the field. Casa is a nonprofit that provides low cost clinical care for many Hispanics who have little or no health insurance. The clinic rents its building, which sits next to the new athletic complex, from the university for $1 a year.

SLU also wants the facility to be used by community groups, said Clayton Berry, the university's assistant vice president of communications.

The players say they don't mind that their games are usually played on worn fields, just as they don't care how their teammates come from different countries, with the different languages and styles of play.

"The ball speaks everyone's language," said Ochoa's brother, Alex Ochoa, 33, who coaches the team Olimpico.

The players say they are just thankful for the opportunity to continue their boyhood passion in America.

"If I weren't playing here, I wouldn't be playing at all," said Mauricio Medina, 22, from Uruguay, a former scholarship player for Lindenwood University.

But competing on the fancy field makes the experience more special, many said. "It's amazing," said Santiago Castaneda, 29, of St. Charles, who emigrated from Mexico nine years ago. "I'm already excited because it's the playoffs, but I'm even more excited."

Coach Alex Ochoa said it's nice for the players to have a venue that allows them to show off their skills.

"We have a really good team, and we don't get to showcase it as much," he said. "They can really play to their full potential."

Sunday's semifinal games still felt routine in many ways. The crowd bellowed cheers in Spanish from the sidelines. Latin music poured from cars parked on the street. A vendor pushed a cart selling cups of cubed melons sprinkled with salt and pepper. Children scurried out at halftime to take shots on goal.

The high-fives among teammates, however, celebrated more than good plays. For some who grew up playing soccer in the streets, sometimes tying together socks to make a ball, playing on the new field was thrilling. For others who grew up playing on top teams at nice facilities in their home countries, playing on the field was a sweet reminder.

For players born in America, the experience was humbling. Miguel Ochoa said, "You realize how lucky you are to live in America all your life."