An NWSL match was played on a tiny pitch and USWNT stars were not happy
The Western New York Flash had to move their match on Saturday night to a minor league baseball stadium because of a scheduling conflict. The problem is that the baseball stadium was only able to fit a field that was 58 yards wide and, as you can see, that was ludicrously narrow.
When the field is 58 yards wide, every throw-in is a long one + almost every foul is happening inside the box. #NWSL pic.twitter.com/QnPa6jjN5O
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) July 9, 2016
The Flash's normal home, the soccer-specific Sahlen's Stadium, was being used for a "90's Throwback" concert featuring TLC. That left them to search for somewhere else to play against the Seattle Reign and Frontier Field was determined to be the best option.
A spokesman for the NWSL told FOX Soccer that the league normally requires a minimum width 70 yards, but exempted Saturday's venue due to the scheduling conflict.
The Flash announced the venue change on June 24, with general manager Rich Randall saying in a statement: "This is an extremely exciting opportunity to bring pro soccer at its highest level back to Frontier Field."
But some of the biggest names in the NWSL were not happy as USWNT players took to social media to call it unacceptable and tagged NWSL commissioner Jeff Plush in their comments:
I joked earlier but this field is unacceptable. @NSWL @JeffPlush are you watching this? Why would you allow this?
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) July 10, 2016
@mPinoe @Nswl @JeffPlush so unacceptable though, seriously.
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) July 10, 2016
@JeffKassouf this is shocking and embarrassing.
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) July 9, 2016
The league issued a statement late Saturday apologizing for the decision to grant a one-time exemption for the small field: "In retrospect, we made the wrong decision. As a professional league, we need to ensure that the integrity of the game is always respected both on and off the field. We did not do that tonight and we apologize to the NWSL players, coaches and fans."
Rapinoe, who plays for Seattle but was away for USWNT camp, said she did not accept the league's apology:
Of course @NWSL has to apologize,but all @JeffPlush said was"we knew it wasnt up to standard,approved it anyway, sorry" Apology not accpeted
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) July 10, 2016
The ordeal was not a good look for the fledgling NWSL, which is now in its fourth year. It has quickly established itself as one of the top women's leagues in the world due in large part to the entire world-champion USWNT competing in the league -- but the NWSL continues to deal with disparities in facility quality and crowd size around the league.
Jessica Fishlock, who played in the match for Seattle, made her disappointment known after the match:
Dear @JeffPlush @NWSL .. I hope you can take 10 min out of your day tomorrow to reflect on this shambles & put it right. Many Thanks. WOSO.
— Jessica Fishlock (@JessFishlock) July 10, 2016
If anyone benefited from the debacle, it seems it was the Flash, who scored two goals on long throw-ins (that weren't actually very long) and beat the Seattle Reign, 3-2.
A spokesman for the Flash did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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