Dortmund Coach Criticizes MetLife Stadium's Suitability for Football

Following an unfavourable result in the Club World Cup quarterfinals, Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač questioned the suitability of MetLife Stadium's pitch for football, comparing it to a golf green. The quarterfinal match saw Dortmund lose 3-2 to Real Madrid. The coach also commented on the challenges posed by the New York area's summer heat, which he deemed unsuitable for top-tier soccer. He noted the grass was unlike that they were accustomed to in Bundesliga matches and other stadiums. MetLife Stadium, which will host the Club World Cup semifinals, championship, and next year's World Cup final, was the venue for Dortmund's opening group match. The German team also played two matches at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium and a round of 16 game at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kovač pointed out the watering of the pitch at MetLife was inadequate due to the lack of appropriate equipment. He described the pitch as 'unbelievably sticky' when it was too dry. On the game day, the temperature at the time of kickoff was 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). Similar, or even higher temperatures, are expected for next year's World Cup matches at the 11 U.S. venues, most of which are not equipped with roofs or air-conditioning. Kovač further criticized the scheduling of matches during the hottest parts of the day, suggesting later kickoff times to enable a higher intensity of football that spectators would enjoy and players would find less challenging to play.