Witnessing Soccer in St. Louis and Russia

A week ago yesterday (9 June), I went to Althoff Catholic High School (http://www.althoffcatholic.org/) to watch Fire and Ice SC (http://www.fireandicesc.com/) play its home opener against Des Moines Menace. Fire and Ice--the defending Women's Premier Soccer League (https://www.wpslsoccer.com/)--ran out 3-0 winners. It was my first time at Althoff for anything, but I was able to find the place easily.

Four nights later, I was back at Althoff to see Fire and Ice play crosstown rivals St. Louis Lions Women's Team (http://www.stllionswpsl.com/). This match ended in a scoreless draw. I and several others from the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) were on hand to show support for these two local teams.

Last Thursday (14 June) marked the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/). I am able to follow the matches on Fox television (https://www.fox.com/) and on the FIFA app.

Yesterday afternooon, I went to a housewarming party in Wentzville, at the new home of two friends from work, Alex Breuer and Tessie Wietbrock. It was a very nice time there, seeing the house and chatting with Alex, Tessie, and other friends of theirs--including a few Enterprise (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) colleagues.

I could not stay at this party much, as I had to head to World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/SOCCERPARK) for the United Soccer League (https://www.uslsoccer.com/) match between Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) and Real Monarchs SLC. After enjoying dinner at the St. Louligans tailgate, I marched with other St. Louligans into Toyota Stadium for the match. Despite a strong effort by the home side, Real Monarchs--the USL Western Conference leaders--ran out 1-0 winners. This match was played with the heat index just above 100 degrees F (38 degrees C). Fortunately, I kept myself well hydrated that day.

Today, I went to Brasilia Restaurant (https://www.brasiliastl.com/) in south St. Louis for lunch and a watch party for Brazil's World Cup match against Switzerland. Quite a few others were there with me as we saw the match on TV. Over feijoada, I saw Brazil take an early lead, only to give up a goal early in the second half and settle for a 1-1 draw. Not the result Brazil and its supporters wanted.

Later