by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
LEAWOOD — Maria Baker has fond memories of watching the FIFA World Cup when her daughter Cristina Cowan and Cowan’s cousin Caryn Moore were growing up.
“[Caryn would] spend the night, and we’d get up at 2:30 in the morning to watch a World Cup game,” she said. “This was before you could record it and watch it later.
“We have watched so many World Cups together.”
This summer, the women will watch four World Cup games at Arrowhead Stadium (known as Kansas City Stadium for the World Cup) in Kansas City, Missouri.
“This is little old Kansas City,” said Cowan. “To be able to do something like this and not have the cost of travel and lodging, to have the comfortability of the stadium itself [is exciting].”
Cowan, a parishioner at Church of the Nativity in Leawood, grew up playing competitive soccer in Oklahoma City, where her mom still lives. Moore lives in nearby Edmond.
Cowan went on to play center midfield at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, where she graduated in 2010.
“When she started [playing], I didn’t know anything about soccer,” said Baker. “But then we just came to love it.”
Moore remembers how integral the sport was to the family.
“I was very close with Cristina and Maria growing up and spent a lot of weekends at their house,” she said. “So, I’ve been to many of Cristina’s soccer games.”
The women have bonded not only over their love for soccer but also their shared faith.
“I think back to when Cristina played soccer, going to Mass was always [a priority],” said Baker. “I used to tell her coaches she could go play her game, but she’s going to go to Mass.”
“[I went to] many Masses in soccer uniforms,” said Cowan.
Moore recalled traveling to tournaments with the family and how central the faith still was.
“We have been able to experience a lot of different churches in different cities because Maria always made it a priority,” she said.
The opportunity they now have to share their love of the game at the World Cup is invaluable.
“In every phase they had for ticket sales, my name got drawn,” said Moore.
FIFA offered a number of opportunities for fans to purchase tickets through ticket lotteries and random selections, but being selected multiple times was likely rare.
The women will see the Netherlands vs. Tunisia, Algeria vs. Austria, a round of 32 game and a quarter final game. Because Moore got four tickets for each one, they’ll be able to bring an additional family member every time.
“I’m very excited to watch the Netherlands play,” said Cowan. “From a soccer piece, I think their passing is just impeccable and lights out.”
“Each game, I’ll pick a team who I want to cheer for,” she added.
She and her mom will also be volunteering at the FIFA Fan Festival outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri.
They look forward to the experiences that lie ahead this summer.
“I love traveling,” said Baker. “I love meeting new people. So, I’m just excited to be around other soccer fanatics and feel the energy.”
