NRC, but this from an article in today's LA Times (amusing in its own way): Basalaj should have a chat with the Grand Gulati some time.
Whenever Northern European players wilt in the midday sun in summer tournaments in Latin America or Orlando, they always say "footballers must be able to play in all kinds of weather." The same holds true for playing in cold or rainy weather. This is a reason for holding our domestic championship in the late fall, despite the fact that some people will find it too cold. That's why they have long-sleeved jerseys. Tom
"Revs coach Steve Nicol said as he gets more of an idea of Alajuelense by viewing tapes and using all scouting methods at his disposal, he'll have a greater idea of what his team will be up against." All scouting methods at his disposal? They scould have worked out a deal with to include Nicol being able to attend a few of the "enemy" practices...
Last year there was a game in Italy cancelled because the pitch was frozen. I can't recall whetther it was seriA or Italian Cup. The visiting team was furious that the team let it's pitch get in such a state, as all of the other games went off as scheduled that day.
I don't care how great a guy Craig is... this excuse is BS (and I don't mean BigSoccer)... this game is at the end of March, in a "state of the art" facility with ground heating, only slightly before the opening of the BASEBALL season here... there is no excuse except that it would cost them more than they are willing to pay to have home field advantage for this tournament...
Correctamente... Does anyone remember the match with the Mutts this summer, the one where Diego Serna officially crashed and burned on the field? I believe the daytime temp for that afternoon match was 95 - and Leo Cullen and Andy Williams were both wearing sleeves. Heck, I was sitting in the stands with my family and nearly experienced a complete meltdown.
A friend of mine gave me a couple of cat 1 seats for that game. My son almost died when he sat down in his seat. You probably could have fried an egg on it. He had a similar experience after getting a soda at halftime.
"Heck, I was sitting in the stands with my family and nearly experienced a complete meltdown." Ahhh, butyou never quite reached a "Jesse Van Saun" level, did you? The Magpie
I was there for that one as well. Sat in the Fort and had the right side of my face burned off by the sun I still think Leo is nuts for the long sleeves that day
Playing devil's advocate... It's not often that soccer players wear pants. At least baseball players get that. And baseball teams have much, much lest actual exertion. They wear gloves, hats and whatever they want, really. Perhaps it's not the field condition that is being worried about, but the players. I've reffed in 35-degree weather with a 30-mph wind and rain, and it's really not fun. It actually stung my skin when I finally got back into the heat. Imagine what that kind of sensation would be like to the sensitive skin of the tropically-oriented. Note that I don't agree with any of this, I'm just throwing out ideas. Prof