Within the eyes of Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač, the MetLife Stadium subject was higher suited to a spherical of golf than a match on the Membership World Cup.
And the New York space’s summer season warmth additionally was inappropriate for high-level soccer.
“It is extra a golf inexperienced, so you may putt right here,” Kovač mentioned after Saturday’s 3-2 quarterfinal loss to Real Madrid. “It is very brief. However this isn’t the grass we’re used to enjoying on within the Bundesliga and in addition within the different two stadiums.”
Dortmund performed its opening group match at MetLife, the positioning of the Membership World Cup semifinals and championship, and of subsequent yr’s World Cup ultimate. The German crew performed two matches at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium and its spherical of 16 recreation at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“As you noticed, the watering wasn’t adequate, I’d say, as a result of you do not have the units for that.” Kovač mentioned. “When it is too dry, it is unbelievable. It is sticking.”
On a sunny afternoon, the temperature on the 3 p.m. kickoff was 86 levels Fahrenheit (30 levels Celsius) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Comparable temperatures or increased are anticipated for subsequent yr’s World Cup, the place 11 venues are within the U.S., and most do not need roofs or air-conditioning.
Through the 1994 World Cup, 28 of 52 matches had kickoff instances from midday to 2 p.m. EDT, higher for European viewing. Kickoff instances for subsequent yr’s 104-game event are prone to be set after the attract December.
“We performed two instances in Cincinnati. The primary time it was 12 o’clock. The second time it was 3 p.m. and the pitch we had temperatures of round about 45 levels (113 levels Fahrenheit),” Kovač, who has lamented the nice and cozy climate throughtout the Membership World Cup, mentioned. “When the temperature is 45 levels, this isn’t superb. That is very arduous for somebody, and the gamers, they need to play these video games.
“Right now, we had 35 levels (95 levels Fahrenheit). It is also not a lot better, to be sincere. However, OK, this a event we have to play. And I’d counsel — my suggestion, that the kickoff time can be a bit of later. … So the depth can also be a lot increased. And as a supporter, as a spectator, you want to see intensive, aggressive, up-and-down soccer. So when it is too scorching, then it is troublesome to play this type of soccer.”
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.