Final 2024 St. Louis CITY Home Matches

St. Louis CITY SC's second Major League Soccer campaign ends next Saturday (19 October) at Minnesota United. It was disappointing overall, compared to the year before, but the second half showed signs that point to a brighter future.

On 28 September, I picked up Julie and we headed to the St. Louligans' Pre-Match Party by the Schlafly Tap Room. We grabbed dinner from the Five Aces Smokestaq Lighting food truck and shopped at the St. Louligans' yard sale of scarves and jerseys donated by members. I bought two items--a Forward Madison scarf and a Sao Paulo FC jersey--with proceeds from the sale going to the St. Louis Area Foodbank.

Julie and I then joined into the march into CITYPARK for the match against Sporting Kansas City. The home side won 3-1, which was great in beating our cross-state rivals. It was a happy night for Julie and me.

After a 1-nil loss away to Los Angeles FC, CITY hosted Houston Dynamo in the final home match of the 2024 campaign last Saturday (5 October). Julie and I were at the St. Louligans party, enjoying dinner from the Mr. Gonzo's Tacos food truck. My friend Jim Kavanaugh, minority owner of CITY SC, came to the party. It was great seeing him there.

We marched into CITYPARK after the party and settled in our places for the match. The supporters unveiled a tifo honoring goalkeeper Roman Burki as the match began. It looked like a tough night ahead, as Houston was fifth in the MLS Western Conference with a playoff berth clinched. However, CITY took charge early and often, coming away 3-nil victors. After the match, CITY players and coaches walked around the pitch to salute their supporters. They stopped in front of the Supporter Section in the north end to especially thank us. 

This was followed by a fireworks display at CITYPARK, which lasted nearly 10 minutes. It was the club's way to thank their fans for their support this season.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

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

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

Schlafly Tap Room: Schlafly

Forward Madison FC: Forward Madison FC

Sao Paulo FC: Home - SPFC | The Most Beloved (saopaulofc.net)

Five Aces Smokestaq Lighting: Smokestaq Lightning (fiveacesbbq.com)

Sporting Kansas City: Sporting Kansas City (sportingkc.com)

Mr. Gonzo's Tacos: Best Food Trucks | Mr. Gonzo's Tacos - menu

Houston Dynamo FC: Houston Dynamo FC

Weekend of Class Reunion, Model Contest, and CITY Soccer

Right after a full day of work on Friday (13 September), it was off (after a clothing change on the way) to Andre's Banquet & Catering South in Oakville. My high school class--Mehlville High School Class of 1982--was having a 42.5-year reunion and 60th birthday party. I had to admit it was hard for me to bring myself to come, as I didn't have the greatest of experiences in high school and since. Fortunately, classmates made me feel welcome and I could relax a bit.

I was able to mingle and to meet many of those classmates in attendance along with one of my teachers. There was a buffet dinner with a birthday cake, a slide show of images from Mehlville High during the time we were there, high school yearbooks and other artifacts from those days, a memorial tribute table to classmates and teachers who have died since 1982, and classmate Phil Bender speaking to the crowd. A DJ played music of the time. Overall, it was a nice time that should have gone on an hour or two longer for me.

Among my classmates present that night was my good friend Tim Popp, who I had not seen in person in some time. It was good to catch up with him for a bit.

I came home after the event to get a bit of sleep before being up early the next morning (14 September). It was off to Affton Elks Lodge #2635, where IPMS Gateway Chapter was holding its annual Invitational model contest and swap meet. I was there to help with running the show, particularly in running the admission table. Besides helping take the attendees' money and attaching wristbands, I asked attendees where they found out about the Invitational and where they live. The questions were for survey purposes in planning outreach for future shows.

I entered three models in the contest: an F9F-2 Panther in Aircraft, and a Bren Gun Carrier and 6-pounder anti-tank gun in Armor. I didn't spend much time in the contest and vendor areas, as I was kept busy with attendees. By my count, we had 180 attendees (not counting show volunteers and vendors) who came from as far as West Virginia, Georgia, and Michigan.

I was one of the contest judges, helping out in judging Figures and Out of the Box entries. There were some terrific quality models entered in this show. In fact, 68 attendees entered 317 models in the contest. Virtually everyone left the show happy with how it came out. I stayed to help tear down and get the hall back to where it was before set up the day before. With all the volunteers there, it took just over an hour to do so.

After coming home to drop off my things from the Invitational and making a change of clothes, it was off to Schlafly Tap Room for the St. Louligans pre-match party.  Before St. Louis CITY SC played Minnesota United, it was party time. I got a Kolsch beer from a Schlafly beer tent and a Meatball Here Parmesan with Mozzarella from the New York Tom's Foodtruck. 

After the party, I joined the supporters' march into CITYPARK for the match. As the match began, a tifo honoring Hispanic Heritage Month was lowered in front of the Supporter Section.

CITY took the lead early in the match, but that would be the only high point, as Minnesota United scored three unanswered goals to win 3-1. This loss means CITY has very little chance of getting the final playoff spot in the Western Conference of MLS. A disappointing end to the day for me.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Andre's Banquet & Catering: Andre's Banquet & Catering - St. Louis | Event & Wedding Venues (andresbanquet.com)

Mehlville High School: Home - Mehlville High School (mehlvilleschooldistrict.com)

Affton Elks Lodge: Lodge #2635 Contact Us (elks.org)

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

Schlafly Tap Room: Menu 1 — Schlafly | St. Louis Craft Brewery, Restaurant, Bar & Events

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

New York Tom's Foodtruck:  Home (nytfoodtruck.com)

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

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

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

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

2024 Labor Day Weekend: Japanese Festival, CITY Soccer

After a busy week of work, I was ready for a holiday weekend. It got going Saturday morning (31 August), when I picked up Julie and we headed to the Missouri Botanical Garden. This was the venue for the annual Japanese Festival that weekend. Julie is a Garden member, so we got a bit of a discount on Festival tickets. I found a parking spot on the street a short walk from the Garden and the two of us went to attend the Festival.

We took in an opening ceremony, which featured dignitaries that included the Japanese Consul in Chicago. After the ceremony, Julie and I went to the amphitheater to see a parade of cosplay artists dressed as their anime characters. It was fascinating to see these people and to hear about the characters they are portraying.

Julie and I went to the food tents to get a cup of sake and a bowl of mushroom and vegetables on a bed of noodles, both of which we shared. I then browsed among some exhibits aimed at children, including one on Japanese characters.

After that, Julie and I walked back to my car and I drove her back to her apartment. We had a wonderful time experiencing Japanese culture.

Sunday morning (1 September), I was up early to head to Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex. I was there to referee two matches in the Gallagher Friendlies tournament that weekend. I had two middles in under 11 boys, which played 9-a-side on a smaller field and 30-minute halves. The first game was more challenging, having to deal with a coach who wandered up and down the touchline instead of staying within his technical area. I cautioned him for continuing to stray from the area, and he wised up. The second match was much calmer by comparison, with no major issues.

After my matches ended, I drove towards CITYPARK for St. Louis CITY SC's match that afternoon against LA Galaxy. I stopped at a QuikTrip men's room on the way to change out of my referee uniform and get into more appropriate attire for a St. Louligans member. I got a cheesesteak sandwich and potato chips from the Widdy's Cheesesteaks food truck and a beer from Schlafly at the street party by the Schlafly Tap Room. Some time after that, I joined in the parade into the stadium for the match.

It was hot and humid, but the crowd was loud and packing the stands for CITY's match against the MLS Western Conference leaders.

Cedric Teuchert scored for CITY in the 9th minute to give the home side the lead. Early in the second half, the Galaxy leveled the score, but CITY won it on Marcel Hartel's 68th minute strike. Roman Burki was superb in goal, making 5 saves for CITY. We were a happy group of fans at full time.

After a well-deserved sleep, I woke up Monday morning (2 September) to nothing. Work was closed that day for Labor Day. I hung around the house that day, mowing the lawns, watching TV, and working on an aircraft model. It was back to work the next day (3 September), and it was a busy one with many cars to clean. My colleagues and I got the job done and all ended well.

Later.

Websites of Entiries Mentioned in this Post:

Missouri Botanical Garden: Missouri Botanical Garden

Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex: Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex (ccparksoccer.com)

St. Louis Scott Gallagher: St. Louis Scott Gallagher — Club Soccer in Saint Louis (slsgsoccer.com)

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

Schlafly Tap Room: Schlafly

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

Widdy's Cheesesteaks: St Louis Food Truck Association - Widdy’s Cheesesteaks (stlfta.com)

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

A Saturday in Maplewood and at CITYPARK with Julie

Early yesterday morning (23 March), I picked up Julie from her apartment and we went to downtown Maplewood. The city was holding its annual Coffee Crawl event, in which downtown merchants offered samples of coffee or coffee-related items to participants.

Julie and I went on the Early Riser Tour, which began at 8:30 a.m. (There was a later tour during midday. After getting our tickets, we began going to the nine establishments taking part in the tour. As we got our samples, someone at each stop would mark our ticket to prove we had visited that particular place. Additionally, the Crawl offered ticket holders discounts on merchandise from other area shops. Julie and I took advantage of this to visit five of the 12 participating merchants. I bought a candle from Maven Bath and Candle Co. and a book from The Book House using the event's discounts.

We got through the tour by approximately 10:30 a.m. and I took Julie back to her apartment before going home. I stopped by Office Depot to get some home office items and browsed at Schaefer's Hobby Shop before returning home for lunch.

Late that afternoon, I returned to Julie's place to pick her up and take her to downtown St. Louis for St. Louis CITY SC's match against DC United at CITYPARK. After parking in a lot south of Enterprise Center, we walked approximately 0.5 mile (0.8 km) to "Louligan Street" (21st Street between Locust and Olive) for the St. Louligans Pre-Match Street Party. Julie and I each got dinner from a Schlafly good tent and I got a Schlafly Supporter Session Hazy Pale Ale from a beer tent.

We also bought Schlaffle raffle tickets from the St. Louligans and also a St. Louligans button. Raffle and merchandise sales that night benefitted the St. Louligans' Charity du Jour, Colorectal Cancer Alliance. I got lucky as one of my raffle tickets was drawn. I selected one of two prize packages: two replica jerseys (Norwich City Josh Sargent replica and Inter Milan), some Fulham FC magnetic buttons, and a $50 Mission Taco Joint gift card.

Soon after the raffle, it was time for prepare for the march into CITYPARK. Julie and I joined in the chanting on Louligan Street before the supporters marched into the stadium for the match.

After arriving inside CITYPARK, Julie and I found places in the Supporter Section to watch the match. Prior to kickoff, St. Louis soccer legend Lori Chalupny brought out the kickoff ball and then walked to the Supporter Section to wave one of the giant flags there.

 

The match was uneven, with players having problems putting passes together. Fortunately, Josh Yaro connected in the 19th minute to put CITY ahead. 

However, DC United tied it up two minutes later and took the lead in the 28th minute. In the second half, both teams made efforts to score, but CITY would equalize on a Joao Klauss penalty in the 70th minute. DC United and CITY got into each other's faces in the late going, with several cautions issued. Even with over 10 minutes added to the second half, neither side could score, and the match ended drawn at 2 apiece. CITY remained undefeated in the first five games of the season.

Julie and I each picked up a team poster on the way out of CITYPARK and walked back to my car. I then took her back home before taking myself back home. It was quite a terrific day for us.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Maplewood Coffee Crawl: Coffee Crawl (cityofmaplewood.com)

Maven Bath and Candle Co.: Maven Bath & Candle Co. – Maven Bath & Candle Co. (mavenstl.com)

The Book House: The Book House - 7352 Manchester Rd., St. Louis | Located in historic downtown Maplewood, a browser's paradise - expect the unexpected (bookhousestl.com)

Office Depot: Office Depot OfficeMax | Official Online Store

Schaefer's Hobby Shop: Hobby, Beads, R.C. Cars - Schaefer's Hobby Shop - St. Louis, Missouri (schaeferhobby.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)

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

Colorectal Cancer Alliance: Colorectal Cancer Alliance

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

Round 2 for CITY SC: 2024 Season Opener

Late yesterday afternoon (24 February), I picked up Julie at her place and drove us to a reserved parking lot in downtown St. Louis. We then walked about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the Schlafly Tap Room for the St. Louligans pre-match party. St. Louis CITY SC was opening its second Major League Soccer season by hosting Real Salt Lake.

(CITY SC actually played its first match the previous Tuesday night, hosting Houston Dynamo in the first leg of the First Round CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament. CITY won 2-1 and the second leg will be in Houston this Tuesday night.)

Julie and I made our way down Louligan Street (21st Street north of Olive) and bought dinner from the Cluck Oink Moo Sliders food truck. I had two pork slides with french fries and they were very tasty. I then bought a Pale Ale from a Schlafly beer tent and Schlaffle tickets from the St. Louligans tent. Julie bought Schlaffle tickets and a t-shirt from the St. Louligans. We were having fun.

Just over an hour before kickoff, Julie and I joined with other supporters to sing and dance for a few minutes on Louligan Street before beginning the march into CITYPARK. It was rather cold and a big windy last night, but we were not going to let that stop us from showing our devotion to CITY SC. 

After entering CITYPARK, we went to look for a standing place in the Supporter Section in the stadium's North End. However, we found it a fruitless search; it seemed every standing place in the section was occupied. We ended up in the area behind some seats in the northwest breezeway facing the pitch. Not the greatest experience, but it worked out for Julie and I.

After a scoreless first half, Real Salt Lake tallied in the 74th minute. Undaunted, CITY SC fought back and leveled it on Sam Adeniran's goal in the 79th minute. That's how the match ended, a 1-1 draw. I'm sure we would have preferred a CITY win on the season opener, but it still was good in that we got a point in MLS play.

After the match, Julie and I walked back to my car. Our legs were tired from all the standing, but we got to my car in the lot safe and sound. I then drove Julie home after yet another great date. 

CITY SC returns home this Saturday to host New York City FC. It should be fun.

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)

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

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

Cluck Oink Moo Sliders: (4) Facebook

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