Whether you believe Kansas City is really the “Soccer Capital of the U.S.,” as murals and fans here often proclaim, there’s no question soccer mania has taken hold of the city.

Viewership of the World Cup here has exceeded national averages, and thousands of fans poured into the Power & Light District last Monday to watch the U.S. men’s national team cruise to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Ghana.

The crowds could be even bigger for this evening’s game against Portugal at 5 p.m. and Thursday’s 11 a.m. matchup with Germany. In addition to the P&L “Living Room,” (which offers free admission and fan events before kickoff), a free watch party will be held at Johnson County Community College’s Yardley Hall for the remaining U.S. games. Beer and wine will be sold at both events.

World Cup games will also be shown at all area Johnny’s Tavern locations, though the downtown location tends to fill up early.

Another fun spot to catch a day game is the Taste of Brazil Market in the River Market, which broadcasts the game on a big-screen television on the patio. It also sells authentic Brazilian fruits, coffees, sandwiches, beverages and World Cup souvenir items.

When viewing games in Lawrence, however, nothing beats the Red Lyon Tavern’s Guinness and free popcorn with Tabasco sauce.

Red-hot Royals

While the World Cup is making all the headlines internationally, the Major League Baseball world has been shocked by the Kansas City Royals’ recent surge into first place in the American League Central.

The Royals will be at home all week, facing the Mariners (today, 1:10 p.m.), the Dodgers (7:10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and the Angels (7:10 p.m. Friday and 1:10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday).

Miami Ice

The Miami Heat may have wilted in just five games of the NBA Championships, but Miami Ice — an unassuming ice cream and shaved ice parlor in the Volker Neighborhood — will be serving frozen treats and hot dogs all summer long from noon until 11 p.m. (midnight on weekends), seven days a week.

Located at 1624 W. 39th St., Miami Ice is a great stop after a meal, while strolling past the street’s many boutiques, or before strolling a couple of blocks north through the winding paths of Roanoke Park.

‘A Winter’s Tale’

From now through July 6, the annual Heart of America Shakespeare Festival will be presenting a rare offering from the Bard’s folio — the tragicomic “A Winter’s Tale.”

The play begins each night (except July 4) at 8 p.m., but guests should arrive early in order to explore the grounds at Southmoreland Park (just west of the Nelson-Atkins Museum), snack on some kettle corn, or hear a pre-show talk at 7 p.m.

Blankets and lawn chairs are allowed, as is outside food and drink. No official tickets are sold, but donations are encouraged. Find out more at kcshakes.org.

‘Night Pools’

On Friday, a solo exhibit at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art on the Johnson County Community College campus will give visitors a unique view into a facet of American life not often celebrated in contemporary art — suburban swimming pools.

The exhibit, entitled “Night Pools,” presents several large-scale paintings by Robert Josiah Bingaman, an artist and lecturer at Kansas University. His luminescent pools are a calming, if slightly unsettling, contrast to the darkness of their backgrounds, less a comment on suburbia than a meditation on stillness, darkness and light.

“Night Pools” opens with a reception this Friday evening and runs through Aug. 31 at the Nerman, 12345 College Blvd.

Concerts

Concert highlight this week include James Taylor at Starlight Theatre at 8 p.m. Monday ($29 and up, kcstarlight.com) and Los Lonely Boys at Knuckleheads at 7 p.m. Wednesday ($30, knuckleheads.com). Also appearing at Starlight this week are Ray LaMontagne ($39 and up, 7 p.m. Tuesday) and Widespread Panic ($45 and up, 7 p.m. Wednesday).

— Lucas Wetzel is a writer and editor from Kansas City, Mo. Know of an upcoming event in Kansas City you’d like to see featured in Kansas City Connection? Email us about it at kcconnection@ljworld.com.