The statements of the members of the Argentine National Team still echo in the hallways of the imposing Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta. The coach had warned Lionel Scaloni in the run-up to the debut against Canada and, even though he wanted to be optimistic, reality ended up giving him a headache that could have been bigger. “It’s a good thing we won, because otherwise it was a cheap excuse. We knew we were playing here for seven months and two days ago they changed the grass. This field was not suitable. It’s not good for the show.”he shot, in the middle of a press conference after the 2 to 0 of the Albiceleste.
Other strongholds of the world champions joined him. The archer Emiliano Dibu Martínez described it as “a disaster” and the defender Cristian Cuti Romero He stated that it was “regrettable” to have a field in that condition to play a competition of this caliber. “It is much more complicated because with the field like this we needed more time to control the ball,” exemplified the captain. Lionel Messi.
What happened was that, despite the predictability that the Argentine coach spoke of, the organization was only able to ‘raise’ the artificial grass at the home of Atlanta United (MLS soccer team) and the Falcons (of the NFL football) on Sunday. There the natural grass beds entered, which logically took time to settle.
The Argentine National Team settled this Friday at the Hilton Short Hills hotel in New Jersey, in an area with much more tranquility and security.. But with the recent history, the concern is the same, How will the playing field at MetLife Stadium be for the remake of the 2016 Copa Centenario final on Tuesday against Chile (10:00 p.m. Argentine time)?
He also had a revenue the playing field. He brought out the FieldTurf Core (synthetic used for the NFL with the Giants and the Jets) to lay natural grass with the Copa América in mind. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority approved the disbursement of $400,000 last December, exclusively for the transfer of one surface to the other..
In a survey published by TheAthleticthe sports portal of the New York Times, was chosen as the worst of all those who participate in the NFL. It was after a series of serious injuries, which included rupturing his Achilles tendon. Aaron Rodgersthe quarterback and figure of the Jets.
The reason why natural grass is not used in this type of stadium was explained by the president and CEO of the Giants, John Maraa few months ago: “With the number of events at the stadium, particularly during football season, having two teams there, with back-to-back games where it rained during the first one, I can’t imagine what the grass would look like that second day”.
There will be three games at the stadium located in East Rutherford: Argentina-Chile next Tuesday the 25th; Uruguay against Bolivia on Thursday the 27th; and one of the semifinals – which would correspond to the Albiceleste if they win group A – on July 9.
Recommendations for fans who will cheer on the National Team in New Jersey
As happened in Atlanta, a series of tips were released for Albiceleste fans who, as tourists, arrived in the state capital for the second match in group A.
Thus, through its official Instagram account, the MetLife stadium detailed what is allowed and what is not, so that they take it into account and do not have to live through the uncomfortable moment that Lionel Messi’s family had, with Antonela Roccuzzo at the head.
