![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Untitled-1825-300x200.jpg\")
Fans wave flags during the St. Louis vs. New England men\u2019s soccer game, Energizer Park, St. Louis, Missouri, March 21, 2026. (Colby Schwantes)<\/p>\n
From the State of Missouri pride flags to the country flags of Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Ghana, Japan, Mexico, the United States and Venezuela, the inclusivity began before the game.<\/p>\n
That inclusion carried on to the national anthem, and all of the in-game hosts announcements were accompanied by an American Sign Language interpreter for every message.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the seats nearly sold out, Energizer Park fans came ready for all things 80s. The team hosted an 80s night game with a velcro wallet giveaway and appearances by former St. Louis Cardinal Ozzie Smith<\/a> and cover group Dr. Zhivegas<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prior to the game\u2019s start, the entire stadium held a moment of silence for midfielder Eduard L\u00f6wen\u2019s wife, Ilona L\u00f6wen, who died following her battle with brain cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe feeling I\u2019ve gotten in this group, with those players, with this staff, within this organization, is like the feeling of a big family,\u201d Damet said. \u201cIt\u2019s not an easy time, but at the same time, we gotta do everything we can to show support and the love. The feeling is quite special.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n A moment of silence was not the sole moment of community within Energizer; fans and staff members wore grey<\/a> to honor brain cancer awareness.\u00a0 At 7:51 p.m., nearly 20 minutes into the first half, the stadium was taken over by grey signs with a centered black heart with IIona\u2019s initials inside.<\/p>\n This powerful sense of community and support skyrocketed the fans\u2019 role in the game, as they held deep and dedicated roles throughout the entire match.<\/p>\n From the first through the third City goal, the fans came prepared to celebrate. The fans chanted \u201cS-T-L\u201d and clapped to the beat of the band\u2019s drumming. Once the goal song<\/a> \u2018Midwest Swing\u2019 by the St. Lunatics came on, Energizer Park became party town.\u00a0<\/p>\n The celebration didn\u2019t stop at auditory sensations; red powder took over the stadium and players celebrated in ways to represent their family or did penguin-like slides as they embraced the fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI changed my celebration a bit; instead of for M3, I put my second daughter\u2019s name in the celebration, so now it\u2019s ML,\u201d City midfielder Marcel Hartel said.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_5157-240x300.jpg\")
Photo Courtesy of St. Louis City Instagram (St. Louis City)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Untitled-1830-300x200.jpg\")
A band member poses with their drum during the St. Louis vs. New England men\u2019s soccer game, Energizer Park, St. Louis, Missouri, March 21, 2026. (Colby Schwantes)<\/p>\n