As the FIFA World Cup enters the final week of play, Major League Soccer’s season continues Thursday. Former Indiana men’s soccer forward Palmer Ault has made his way to an MLS club after signing with St. Louis CITY SC, per an announcement from the team on Wednesday.
Ault played for St. Louis CITY2 in the MLS NEXT Pro this season, a developmental league for MLS teams. In 15 appearances this season — 14 of which were starts — Ault has compiled eight goals and five assists. The 22-year-old also produced 42 shots for the team, with 15 being on target.
The Noblesville, Indiana, native played his lone season for Indiana University in 2025. As one of the premier goalscorers in the Big Ten, Ault racked up 16 goals and 10 assists in 19 games. The only game he did not start for the Cream and Crimson was an 8-0 victory over Division III Hanover College.
Ault’s career season earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, unanimous first-team All-Big Ten and All-America second team. He was named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is awarded to the top college soccer player.
Before joining head coach Todd Yeagley’s squad, Ault played three seasons at Butler University. In 49 games, he compiled 21 goals and 12 assists on 123 shots.
Ault was selected in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids in the second round — 36th overall — but chose to join Indiana for his senior season. He will join a St. Louis team that stands at 12th in the 15-team Western Conference. Ault is signed through the 2027 season with club options for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons.
“Palmer has continued to grow throughout the season and has earned this opportunity with his performances with CITY2 and the way he has carried himself on and off the field,” St. Louis CITY SC Sporting Director Corey Wray said in the press release. “He is a talented young player with a lot of potential, and we are excited to add him to our first-team environment. Palmer gives us additional depth while we continue to work on strengthening the squad this transfer window.”
Coming off a defeat to Saint Louis University in the second round of last season’s NCAA Tournament, Indiana will begin its quest for a ninth national championship. The Hoosiers’ regular season schedule begins with an in-state showdown with the University of Notre Dame on Aug. 20 at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington.
Follow reporters Noah Boudouris (@noahboudouris and nboudour@iu.edu) and Sean McAvoy (@sean_mc07 and semcavoy@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s soccer offseason.
