In American NFL stadiums, soccer gamers legitimately gripe in regards to the turf. And soccer gamers legitimately gripe in regards to the grass.
The opening match of the Copa América, performed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Thursday evening, sparked complaints from Argentina in regards to the high quality of the recently-installed pitch.
Through Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Structure, Argentina supervisor Lionel Scaloni criticized the grass taking part in floor. He mentioned it “affected his crew’s ways” within the 2-0 win over Canada. Scaloni mentioned his gamers “weren’t in a position to move like they wished.”
Scaloni repeatedly mentioned that the grass had been put in on Tuesday. It really had been put down 4 days earlier than the match, after the Atlanta United confronted Houston within the MLS on Saturday.
A gathering to debate presumably changing the present floor with grass from the identical farm was scheduled for Thursday. Per Roberson, the assembly was unrelated to Scaloni’s remarks.
A number of gamers additionally complained in regards to the grass. Through Lizzy Becharano of ESPN.com, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez mentioned this: “The state of the pitch was a catastrophe. Very bumpy. We should enhance on this side, in any other case, Copa América will at all times seem at a decrease stage than the European Championship.” Added Canada defenseman Kamal Miller mentioned, “It felt like strolling on a stage, as if it was hole.”
Matches for the Copa América are being performed in varied NFL stadiums — Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, L.A., New York, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Kansas Metropolis. Greater than 70,000 attended final evening’s opener.
The subsequent match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, between the USA and Panama. For the Copa América, sod was rolled over the prevailing synthetic taking part in floor. As famous by Roberson, it’s possible that “the turf shall be pulled up, filth put in and grass grown” for World Cup matches in 2026 on the identical venue.
And, after all, the grass would then be eliminated and changed with the floor that soccer gamers don’t choose.
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