USA and Republic of Ireland Women at CITYPARK

Last Tuesday night (11 April), I got off early from work to get to Downtown West St. Louis for a women's soccer friendly. The defending FIFA Women's World Cup Champion USA was hosting the Republic of Ireland at CITYPARK in the second of two matches. Both teams played the previous Saturday, with the Americans winning 2-0.

After finding a street parking area about four blocks from the stadium, I raced to get to CITYPARK. As I entered the stadium, both teams came out for the match. USA honored defender and captain Becky Sauerbrunn, a native of Ladue, Missouri, for her recent 200th international appearance. I saw much of this ceremony on the video monitors along the corridors. The national anthems of Ireland and USA followed this ceremony.

I found my seat in the south end of CITYPARK, a change of pace from the usual north end standing location for St. Louis CITY SC matches. The American Outlaws were in force in the supporter section.

The match began and the Americans asserted themselves early with some good possession and scoring chances. Sauerbrunn nearly scored in the 3rd minute from a header just inside the penalty area, but it hit the crossbar. It would have been quite a goal, especially as she hadn't scored in any international appearances. Sauerbrunn was substituted in the 29th minute to a standing ovation from the 22,294 fans in attendance.

The Irish responded well and asserted themselves more as the match went on. In the 43rd minute, USA defender Alana Cook--who turned 26 that day--scored her first international goal with a long ball some 40 yards (36.6 m) out that sailed over the Irish goalkeeper and into the net.

USA made several substitutions at halftime and their defense held the Irish back. At full time it was 1-0 to the hosts, with Casey Murphy earning the shutout in goal. The teams acknowledged their supporters right after the match. Both USA and Republic of Ireland will be at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this June and July.

I walked out of CITYPARK happy after seeing this match--the first international match and first women's match played at that venue.

Later.

Links to Entities Mentioned in this Post:

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

US Women's National Team: USWNT | World Cup Champions | U.S. Soccer Official Site (ussoccer.com)

Republic of Ireland Women's National Team: Football Association of Ireland (fai.ie)

American Outlaws: American Outlaws (theamericanoutlaws.com)

FIFA Women's World Cup: FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™

Julie and I and St. Louis CITY SC and Minnesota United

I came to Julie's house yesterday in the middle afternoon (1 April). She had just completed some work in the house. I then drove us to Downtown West St. Louis where I found a parking place before we walked to the Pre-Match Party by the Schlafly Tap Room. The St. Louligans and other supporter groups were there. Julie and I each bought some tickets to the St. Louligans' "Schlaffle" raffle. Proceeds went to 3 Little Birds 4Life, a group granting wishes to young adult cancer patients.

Julie and I each got a beer from one of the Schlafly beer tents and got dinner from one of three food trucks in the area. We also walked over to Lou Fusz Plaza by CITYPARK to see the activities there. They included some dog tricks done by dogs from Purina.

After the raffle drawing (Julie and I didn't win), we marched with other supporters around CITYPARK and into the stadium for the match between St. Louis CITY SC and Minnesota United FC. Julie and I found places high up in the supporter section to cheer on the home side.

Unfortunately, a 78th minute penalty kick was the difference as Minnesota United ran out 1-0 winners. It was CITY's first loss this season, but not for lack of trying. The players saluted their supporters after the match.

Julie and I then walked to my car, then I drove her home. She had work around the house to do this weekend, so I kissed her good night and then drove home.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

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)

3 Little Birds 4Life: 3 Little Birds 4 Life

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

Purina: Purina: Nutritious Dog and Cat Food for Your Pet

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

Minnesota United FC: Minnesota United FC (mnufc.com)

Trip to KC CON 2023 and Julie's Birthday

Early yesterday morning (11 March), I drove to Marion Morris' house in Maplewood. Morris would drive me and Dave Thomas--all of us members of IPMS/Gateway--to Kansas City, Missouri for KC CON, a model contest hosted by IPMS/Great Plains and IPMS/KC AMPS. Along the way, Tom Aldred joined us, while Jim Victor and Jim Triola rode together in a second vehicle. We arrived at the First Church of the Nazarene, the show venue, just before 9:00 am.

I had my two models registered in the contest, placing a MiG-15bis in one of the Aircraft categories in the contest room, and leaving a 155mm M1 Gun in the Armor judging room. This contest has Armor entries judging using Armor Modeling and Preservation Society (AMPS) rules, while the rest of the entries were judging using International Plastic Modelers' Society/USA (IPMS/USA) rules. I also bought some raffle tickets and walked among the vendors gathered at the show. Morris was one of those vendors.

During the morning, I admired the models on the contest tables. Several tables had to be added to accommodate the large number of contest models brought to this show. I did win a few prizes in the raffle and bought a few items from the vendors.

I volunteered to be a contest judge and helped to judge entries in the three Mecha categories. There were some superb models to choose from for the three places in each category, but my partner and I got it done. The rest of the categories took more time, and it was after 3:00 pm when the awards began to be announced.

My M1 Gun took a Gold in Basic level Armor--Ordnance. This was better than I expected. Thomas took two Bronze awards in Advanced Armor for his two tank models. Going to the rest of the contest, my MiG-15 placed Third in Aircraft--1:72, Single Engine, Post-1947. Triola's battleship Bismarck got Second in Ships--All types, 1:400 and larger. (Many of us thought it would get First.)

We packed up and headed home. Marion, Dave, and I arrived in Maplewood just before 8:00 pm. (Aldred went with Victor and Triola.) After getting my things put into my car and saying goodbye, I got dinner at Penn Station East Coast Subs before getting a Macy's gift card at CVS and then going home.

The next morning, I drove to Julie's house, where I gave her a birthday card with the gift card. Yesterday was her birthday, but we celebrated it together today. Julie and I went to Machinists Hall in Bridgeton to visit the ToyMan Show of collectable toys and memorabilia. We then traveled to West County Center to browse among the stores. Julie and I shopped at Barnes & Noble (I bought two books, while she bought a board game).

After lunch at her home, we went to the Irish Festival in Florissant for a while. Then, we went to Mystic Valley in Maplewood, where Julie bought something for her home. Then, we returned to her home where we watched Juventus and Sampdoria play a Serie A match on her TV. After that, we parted but will be back together next weekend.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post: 

IPMS/Gateway: IPMS Gateway Chapter (google.com)

IPMS/Great Plains: Untitled Page (ipmsgreatplains.org)

IPMS/KC AMPS: KCAMPS

AMPS: Home - Armor Modeling & Preservation Society (amps-armor.org)

IPMS/USA: IPMS/USA Home Page | By Modelers... For Modelers (ipmsusa.org)

ToyMan Show: ToyMan Show – "Where BIG kids go to play"

Barnes & Noble: Online Bookstore: Books, NOOK ebooks, Music, Movies & Toys | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

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

St. Louis CITY SC Home Opener

Midday last Saturday (4 March), I drove to Julie's house. After lunch and some wonderful conversation, we made our way to Downtown West in St. Louis. This was the long-awaited day of St. Louis CITY SC's home opener at CITYPARK.

Before arriving at the pre-match party at Schlafly Tap Room, I had to park my car on Locust two blocks from the party site. Julie and I then walked to the street in front of the Tap Room where the party took place. Our mates from the St. Louligans were there, along with The Thieves, Fleur de Noise, St. Louis City Punks, and the Riot Grrrls. Julie and I contributed to the St. Louligans' Charity du Jour, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in St. Louis. I also bought a St. Louligans' scarf and a button from Fleur de Noise, the latter of which I added to my cap.

Julie and I enjoyed beer from Schlafly, and later ate an early dinner from Locoz Tacoz's food truck set up by the Tap Room. We also chatted with others in the crowd and took in the scene. Hundreds of CITY SC supporters thronged the party area, plus a few supporters of the match's opponent, Charlotte FC, were there.

Nearly two hours before kickoff, Julie and I marched with the hundreds of supporters around the block north of CITYPARK, led by the drums of Fleur de Noise. Many of the bystanders along the streets and looking out from the buildings along our route cheered us. After about 20 minutes, our group arrived at CITYPARK and made our way to the Supporter Section in the stadium's north end.

Both of us found our places to stand in the Supporter Section as the teams warmed up on the pitch. The stadium was packed, a sellout of 22,423 spectators. The excitement reached a fever pitch as the starting elevens of both teams walked out the tunnel onto the pitch. Julie and I were ready, along with everyone else.

The St. Louligans unveiled a huge tifo while the rest of the seating areas displayed colored cards to welcome everyone to this first home match. St. Louis CITY SC kicked off the match and the cheering never stopped. Fleur de Noise's drummers set the beat and the capos led the chants throughout the match.

Charlotte FC scored the opening goal 25 minutes in, but CITY SC kept up the pressure. An errant back pass by a Charlotte player became an own goal in the 41st minute. Just into stoppage time, a hand ball in the Charlotte penalty area led to a penalty goal for CITY SC. The home side was up 2-1 at halftime.

CITY SC made a few scoring attempts in the second half, finally connecting in the 71st minute in front of the Supporter Section. We all went into maximum pandemonium at that point.

The final whistle left CITY SC 3-1 winners, and nobody left their seats. The players came over towards the Supporter Section to applaud us before moving around the stadium to give the other spectators their thanks. All of us (except for Charlotte FC and their supporters) left CITYPARK very happy. Julie and I walked to my car and we returned to her home.

The next morning, we had breakfast before watching some Serie A matches on TV. I then had to leave to get ready for refereeing youth soccer later that day, but Julie and I will have some special time next weekend.

Later.

Websites of Entiries Mentioned in This Post:

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

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

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)

The Thieves: Home | Up the Thieves! (stlouligans.com)

Fleur de Noise: Fleur De Noise

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

Riot Grrls: SLCP Home - About Riot Grrrls (slcitypunks.com)

Locoz Tacoz: Authentic Mexican Food Truck in St. Louis | Locoz Tacoz

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Lower Plains | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (lls.org)

 

St. Louis CITY SC Begins MLS Play

Yesterday afternoon (25 February) was a cool, but sunny day. I drove to Julie's house, where we chatted for awhile. Then, after running some errands, we headed for CITYPARK for a "Meet the Seats" event for St. Louis CITY SC season ticket holders. Julie and I entered the stadium and went to the Supporter Section in the North End, where we admired the view.

We hoped the concession stands were open, but they weren't. Julie and I decided to walk to The Fountain on Locust for an early dinner. It was full of people, but we got seats at the bar. We both enjoyed sandwiches and the atmosphere of this place.

After the meal, Julie and I walked back east to the Schlafly Tap Room for a watch party of CITY SC's season opening match at Austin FC. We gathered with others from the St. Louligans to watch the match on TV screens set up in the place. Finally, CITY SC was playing for real in Major League Soccer (MLS), and all of us fans were most excited on this night.

Julie and I went through the ups and downs of the match, with CITY SC scoring first in the First Half, only for Austin FC to level it just before halftime. We did not lose hope, though Austin took the lead in the Second Half. However, CITY SC scored twice late in the match, with Klauss getting the winner four minutes from time. The excitement at the final whistle was incredible. Julie and I, along with other supporters, were most happy with the result. This was a great way to start the season and the existence of St. Louis CITY SC.

After the game, I drove Julie home where we had a light snack before calling it a night. This morning, we had breakfast together before I left for my home.

Looking forward to CITY SC's home opener this Saturday night against Charlotte FC. It should be rocking!

Later.

 Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

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

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

The Fountain on Locust: The Fountain on Locust

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)

Major League Soccer: MLSsoccer.com - The Official Site of Major League Soccer

2023 Mardi Gras with Julie

Midday yesterday (18 February), yours truly drove to Julie's house in Florissant. We had lunch featuring jambalaya and king cake for dessert. It was very nice.

After watching much of a Serie A match on TV (Inter vs Udinese), I drove us towards Soulard for the Mardi Gras celebration. After driving around for about 30 minutes and unable to find a parking spot amid the large crowds present, we parked at the garage just west of Busch Stadium and walked towards Soulard. Julie and I came across large crowds along Broadway near Soulard Farmers Market. 

We soon found a food stand, where we got a shish kabob, a funnel cake, and a cup of lemonade. Julie and I shared these items as we stood and looking upon the throng in the streets. We then walked up Broadway and Julie asked a firefighter about the evening parade that we had come for. He told her that parade is Tuesday night, not Saturday night. (There had been a daytime parade earlier that Saturday.) Disappointed, Julie and I walked back to the garage and returned to her home. 

We watched an animated film, "Turning Red," that was streamed on her TV. It was a fun movie to watch with an uplifting message about self-acceptance. Thus, Julie and I made the most of our day even with the original Mardi Gras plans upset.

The next morning, we had breakfast of bacon and donuts, plus cafe au lait. It was most delicious and a great beginning of the day. I left Julie's house late that morning, as Julie was getting ready for a friend's party. I headed home, stopping by Target to get some undershirts and Schnucks to get today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, with its special St. Louis CITY SC preview section. The season begins this Saturday. I can't wait.

 

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Serie A: Lega Serie A | Home

Soulard Mardi Gras: Contact Us | Soulard Mardi Gras 2023 | St. Louis, MO (stlmardigras.org)

Target: Target : Expect More. Pay Less.

Schnucks: Home | Schnucks

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Breaking News | | Read St. Louis, MO and Missouri breaking news. Get latest news, events and information on Missouri sports, weather, entertainment and lifestyles. (stltoday.com)

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

Celebration, History, and St. Louligans with Julie

After work Friday night (10 February), I drove to Julie's house. We had dinner and exchanged gifts. I gave Julie a small heart-shaped box of Russell Stover chocolates and a card for Valentine's Day. She enjoyed the sweets, my card, and the short love letter I included with the card. In turn, Julie gave me some flowers for Valentine's and a book for my birthday three days before. She gave me "Way Beyond the Blue: The Memoirs of Colonel Jackie Jackson, USMCR, Retired," as told to Laine Boyd. I look forward to reading this soon.

We sat on the couch to watch a very funny movie Julie streamed to her TV, the 1971 comedy "And Now for Something Completely Different," which starred the Monty Python troupe.

The next morning, after breakfast, I drove us to the Missouri History Museum. Julie and I browsed among several exhibits, including Coloring STL. That exhibit spotlighted architecture in the St. Louis area and we used colored markers to color within the lines on several large drawings of noted St. Louis buildings on the walls of the exhibit space. 

We also toured the exhibits "The 1904 World's Fair" and "Seeking St. Louis," then we shopped in the gift shop. Julie and I then went to get cash from an ATM in Richmond Heights and got lunch from a Starbucks in west St. Louis before heading to the Schlafly Tap Room in Downtown West.

There, we attended the St. Louligans Annual General Meeting. Julie and I drank Schlafly Beer and bought St. Louligans scarves while chatting with fellow soccer supporters. This meeting laid out our plans for the St. Louis CITY SC season that starts later this month. This included parties by Schlafly Tap Room before and after home matches. Help was requested in painting a tifo for the home opener and for other projects. I contributed some money to the tifo effort.

After the meeting, I drove Julie home and then drove home, arriving early last night.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Russell Stover: Russell Stover Chocolates | RSC

Monty Python: Monty Python Official Site

Missouri History Museum: Missouri History Museum | Find Yourself Here. (mohistory.org)

Starbucks: Starbucks Coffee Company

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