CITY and US Women's Soccer at Energizer Park

This past Saturday afternoon (31 May) had the first of two soccer matches at Energizer Park for me. St. Louis CITY SC was hosting San Jose Earthquakes and I arrived well before kickoff at the Schlafly Tap Room for the St. Louligans pre-match party. I got a beer from a Schlafly beer test (their Summer Lager) and a gyro from the Go Gyro Go food truck. I also bought raffle tickets and contributed to the St. Louligans' Charity du Jour, Action St. Louis.

I then joined the supporters' march into the stadium for the match, which was the first for CITY under caretaker head coach David Critchley. CITY scored just before halftime on a Joao Klauss effort to take the lead. San Jose equalized in the 83rd minute, but CITY won it on an Edward Lowen penalty in stoppage time. The victory was most welcome for CITY and its supporters.

Last night (3 June), I drove from work in Ballwin back to Energizer Park, this time for a women's friendly between USA and Jamaica. I arrived in the stadium just after the two teams arrived on the pitch and while former USA international and St. Louis native Becky Sauerbrunn was honored for her career. 

After witnessing this ceremony, I made my way to my seat, which was on the upper deck of the North End. This gave me a great overall view of the pitch.

The match opened with the US dominating possession, but not able to find the back of the net until the 19th minute, when Ally Sentnor scored. She added a second tally 10 minutes later and the Stars and Stripes took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

A number of substitutions were made during the second half as new lineups were evaluated. One player brought in was Lynn Biyendolo, who entered the match in the 58th minute. Two minutes later, she hit paydirt to make it 3 to the good for the USA. Biyendolo added a second goal two monutes from time and the Americans ran out 4-0 winners.

It was quite an entertaining match, the scoreline notwithstanding, and Sauerbrunn was working as a studio analyst for TNT's match telecast. I caught a glimpse of her and the other studio analysts and host interviewing Sentnor after the match.

After a long day at work and this match, I came home a happy man.

Later.

Websites of Entries Mentioned in this Post:

Energizer Park: Energizer Park | St. Louis CITY SC

Schlafly Tap Room: Schlafly

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer

Go Gyro Go: Go Gyro Go | Greek and Mediterranean Gourmet Cuisine

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

Action St. Louis: Action St. Louis

US Soccer: U.S. Soccer Official Website | USWNT & USMNT

Taste of Maplewood with Julie; CITY Beats Sporting KC

Yesterday morning (20 May), I drove to Julie's house in Florissant to pick her up. We then went to downtown Maplewood for the annual Taste of Maplewood street festival. I parked the car on a side street near Mystic Valley, a metaphysical gift shop. Julie wanted to shop there for a friend.

After checking out of Mystic Valley, we walked to the parking lot of Schnucks on Manchester Road, where several vendors had set up booths. She bought cookies from one vendor (she shared them with me), and items from two other vendors. After that, Julie and I walked to Sutton Street, where the Taste of Maplewood booths were set up. 

We walked among several food and information booths, before settling on Boogaloo, a Caribbean/Creole restaurant. Julie had jerk chicken and I had jambalaya. We found a table nearby to enjoy our lunch while listening to a cover band perform on a nearby stage. Our lunch was quite satisfying.

After lunch, Julie and I walked down Sutton to MAUHAUS Cat Cafe and Lounge. We sat in the lounge for about 20 or so minutes while we and a few other customers enjoyed the company of several cats. It was a different experience for Julie and I, yet we found it quite satisfying. We then had cake and beverages before leaving.

Julie and I admired some young dancers performing on a stage before we walked to the car. I then drove Julie home and we kissed each other goodbye.

I drove to Rally House in Richmond Heights to shop. After looking over some St. Louis CITY SC gear, I bought a City of St. Louis flag. This would be something I could fly at home or wear to a CITY SC  match.

Then, it was on to a CITY SC match at CITYPARK. Not just any match, but a regional rivalry match against Sporting Kansas City. After parking on Washington Avenue, I walked to Schlafly Tap Room for the pre-match party with the St. Louligans. I hung out with them and the St. Louis City Punks, buying one of the latter's scarves. I drank Schlafly beer and got dinner--gyro and Greek Salad--from the Go! Gyro! Go! food truck parked near the Tap Room.

Before the march into CITYPARK, I volunteered to carry a flag with the St Louligans. It was a hand-painted flag for LGBTQ+ rights. Our marchers circled CITYPARK before entering the stadium and finding our places in the Supporter Section. I found a place three rows up from the field from which I waved the flag throughout the match.

Prior to the teams entering the pitch, several St. Louis soccer legends were introduced to the crowd. That was exciting to see. The capacity crowd was in fever pitch when the teams came out.

CITY SC kicked off to the north, facing the Supporter Section. They scored twice in the opening half--an Eduard Lowen penalty kick in the 19th minute, and an Indiana Vassilev strike in the 25th minute. 

The home side kept up the pressure in the second half, scoring two more goals: Niko Gioacchini in the 55th minute and Vassilev in the 75th minute. Roman Burki made six saves to earn the clean sheet as CITY SC ran out 4-0 winners. 

We in the supporter section stayed around until the CITY SC players and staff came towards our section to acknowledge our support. After helping clean up the section by removing beer and soda cans, I left CITYPARK to walk to my car and drive home. It was around midnight when I pulled into my house. Yes, I was tired, but happy for this day.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

Taste of Maplewood: Taste of Maplewood Street Festival - Mid County Chamber of Commerce

Mystic Valley: Mystic Valley - Mystic Valley (mysticvalleystl.com)

Boogaloo: Home, Maplewood, MO | Boogaloo (boogaloostlouis.com)

MAHHAUS Cat Cafe and Lounge: MAUHAUS Cat Cafe & Lounge (mauhauscafe.com)

Rally House: Rally House | Officially Licensed College, NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and MLS apparel and gifts

Schlafly Tap Room: Tap Room Brewpub - Schlafly Beer

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer (stlouligans.com)

St. Louis City Punks: SLCP Home (slcitypunks.com)

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC (stlcitysc.com)

CITYPARK: CITYPARK | St. Louis CITY SC (stlcitysc.com)

Go! Gyro! Go!: Go Gyro Go | Greek and Mediterranean Gourmet Cuisine (gogyrogostl.com)