The Frozen Tundra, huh?

After what happened at the state soccer tournaments on Wednesday (Feb. 2) at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in north Phoenix and the Red Mountain Soccer Club in east Mesa, Green Bay must seem like a day on a tropical beach.

The temperature on Wednesday slipped into the high 30s with high winds making it seem much, much colder. It was a tribute to the players, fans, and yes, even writers, who endured such conditions.

Fans bundled up in several layers of clothing and huddled together on the sideline. Some fans brought drums. And it sounded like vuvuzelas, the perpetual horns heard at the World Cup, were scattered around the Reach 11 complex.

One young fan standing in line to buy popcorn said to another, “I think I’m going to pour melted butter all over myself so I can stay warm.’’

A mother of one player approached me and said, “Do you have a son playing?’’

“No, I work for the AIA,’’ I said.

“Is that like the FBI?’’ she replied.

Well, no, not exactly. I guess it depends on who you talk to.

“I bought this big cup of coffee, took one drink and it’s cold already,’’ she said.

One hopes the weather for the next round on Saturday (Feb. 5) will be a lot warmer. But even if it isn’t, the fans will still come and support their players. Such is the passion of soccer.