LAFC’s Cherundolo Slams Snowstorm Match Against RSL as ‘Disgraceful’
Real Salt Lake (RSL) emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over LAFC in a snowstorm during their game in Utah on Saturday. However, the decision to play the match in such extreme weather received heavy criticism from LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo. Cherundolo expressed his disappointment and called the game a “disgrace” during the post-match press conference. The only silver lining for Cherundolo was that no players were injured during the game.
“It was an absolute joke we had to play today,” Cherundolo stated. “It was one of the worst professional sporting events I’ve ever seen in my life. I feel terrible for the players that we put them through this. The game could have and should have been called off. In my opinion, it was an absolute disgrace we had to play today.”
The game faced multiple delays before it even started. Kickoff was delayed by two hours due to lightning strikes in the area. Soon after the match began, players had to go back to the locker room as a safety precaution against lightning. When they finally returned to the field, the snowfall had intensified and persisted throughout the entire match.
RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni revealed that he had discussed the conditions with Cherundolo and the referees before the game. Initially, they were all in agreement about starting the match. However, as time went on, the deteriorating weather made it increasingly difficult for both teams to play under desirable conditions.
“As the game wore on, it became less like a soccer match and it wasn’t desirable conditions for either team. But when we started it, it was like ‘let’s just get this over with,'” Mastroeni explained.
Despite the challenging circumstances, RSL managed to take a commanding 2-0 lead through two goals from Andres Gomez. Chicho Arango then added a third goal for RSL in first-half stoppage time. Arango celebrated his goal with a snow angel, acknowledging the extraordinary conditions.
The outcome of the game marked RSL’s first win of the season after a loss and a draw in their previous matches. Mastroeni expressed his admiration for his team’s ability to play under such adverse conditions.
“I don’t know how these guys were able to pass it from A to B,” Mastroeni admitted. “I couldn’t even walk in the snow, let alone pass the ball.”
Cherundolo, on the other hand, remained steadfast in his criticism of the decision to play the game.
“I just don’t understand why on earth we’d count a game like that, finish a game like that, or even play a game like that,” Cherundolo voiced his frustration.
Both coaches agreed that the extreme weather conditions had turned the match into a farcical event. Cherundolo summed up the experience as “ridiculous.”
The controversy surrounding the snowstorm match between LAFC and RSL raises questions about player safety and the decision-making process behind playing games in such extreme weather conditions. While some may argue that the show must go on regardless of the weather, incidents like this highlight the need for careful consideration and prioritization of player welfare.