Saint Louis FC is On a Cup Run

Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) has been on a tear in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (https://www.ussoccer.com/us-open-cup). On 11 June, Saint Louis hosted Major League Soccer (MLS) (https://www.mlssoccer.com/) side Chicago Fire in the Fourth Round. This match was moved from Saint Louis FC's usual home ground, World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/soccerpark) in Fenton, due to threatened flooding from the Meramec River. It was moved to Harlan C. Hunter Stadium (https://lindenwoodlions.com/facilities/?id=1) on the Lindenwood University (https://www.lindenwood.edu/) campus in St. Charles.

I arrived there from work and right away made for the entrance. There was a very good crowd of around 4500 people, and I made my way to where the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) were gathered--behind one of the goals. We had a great time singing and urging our team on to victory.

We were not disappointed; on the contrary, we were so happy as Saint Louis FC upset Chicago Fire 2-1 to advance to the Fifth Round (the Round of 16).

The following Saturday (15 June), I went to Llywelyn's Pub in Webster Groves (https://llywelynspub.com/webster-groves) for a St. Louligans watch party. Saint Louis FC was away to Bethlehem Steel FC in United Soccer League (USL) Championship (https://www.uslsoccer.com/usl-championship) play. Saint Louis lost, 3-1, and they did not look good doing so. In face, I left the watch party halfway through the match and went home.

Better luck game this past Wednesday (19 June), when Saint Louis FC hosted another MLS side, FC Cincinnati, in the Open Cup's Fifth Round--this time, at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. I went to the St. Louligans tailgate before the match, then helped carry banners into the stadium honoring ten earlier St. Louis teams that won the Open Cup. I and a fellow St. Louligan matched in with the banner for the 1950 championship of Simpkins Ford. We stood with the banners near the pitch when the two teams walked out onto the pitch and for the National Anthem. Then, the banners were removed from the plastic poles we carried them on and were fastened to the seating area front rails for the match. I felt it was an honor to help carry in these banners, which remind current players and spectators of St. Louis' great heritage in the Open Cup.

The home side played tough against its competition, but it took a second half stoppage time goal by Sam Fink off a corner kick for Saint Louis FC to run away 1-0 winners. The goal was scored in the half nearest the supporters section, and Fink--followed by his teammates--came over to our area to celebrate the goal.

This victory sent Saint Louis FC into the Open Cup's Quarterfinals, where they will play at defending MLS Cup holders Atlanta United on 10 July. Saint Louis FC has never reached this level in this competition.

Last night (22 June), it was back to USL Championship play for Saint Louis FC, as they hosted North Carolina FC. Freshly made tacos were on the menu at the St. Louligans tailgate.

There was a great crowd at the match, in which North Carolina scored in the first half. Saint Louis leveled early in the second half, then both teams traded goals later that half. This included a late penalty kick goal for the home side, and the match ended drawn at 2.

Later.