ST. PAUL, Minn. — We’re back again covering all the USMNT World Cup qualifiers, and so is the Audio Dispatch! It’s essentially a long-ish voice mail from me (remember those?) about what the day has been like on the ground here in Minnesota and what we learned from the USMNT media access.
I also grew up in Minneapolis and played soccer into my early 20s here until injuries stopped me. After Halloween, it got really uncomfortable to play outside. After Thanksgiving it gets ridiculous. Its not just the snow and ice. The temps (with or without wind) can be dangerous. There is a reason we now have so many indoor "soccer bubbles" here so that you can play/train year round. There is a reason US Bank Stadium has a roof for football. And, there is a BIG difference between 25 degrees F and 0 degrees F. In MN when its 25 in Jan/Feb a lot of people go outside and enjoy the "nice" weather. But, they are dressed for it. When it's 0, most people stay indoors. Soccer kit is not designed for these kids of temps. I'm crossing my fingers for a US win and no "news" about the weather, but I'm not hopeful on the second item. I wouldn't want to play this game outdoors if I were a player. I wouldn't want to stand on the sideline for 90+ minutes if I was the coach. I run my kid's cross-country ski program and I'm very familiar with being outside (active or standing) for 90+ minutes in all winter conditions and there is a reason we cancel events when it's below 0. Even events that are designed with the right kind of clothing like skiing.
All of these communications are terrific. They provide “ atmosphere” and top
Level analysis. I have a growing fear that the decision to play this match in Minnesota will haunt the USMNT program for ever. As you have said: we have leveled the playing field, and created another element to influence the outcome of this essential match. And if Zimmerman has an “ iffy” hamstring, the below zero weather will ruin him early. In my view, we are saying to the world ( and our own team), “ I don’t think we can beat the worst team in Concacaf on a normal playing field, so we are going to create an ice bowl to shock them into submission.” Not a message of confidence, is it?
I am curious about protocols in such situations. How would a postponement work? Is it something US Soccer would have to sign off on? Could their hand be forced in some way by Honduras or even the refs? If Honduras would refuse to take the field citing health concerns, maybe due to the inability to procure proper clothing in Honduras, what would happen? I realize we are in uncharted territory in terms of health and safety concerns related to cold specifically, but I wonder if there are any precedents for a team refusing to take the field for other helth/safety reasons. (Or the refs)
Thanks for the communication. Great to hear your perspective. Having grown up in MN and played hockey/broomball outdoors in colder temperatures than anticipated for this match, the decision to choose this site in the winter is ridiculous and borderson dangerous for players unfamiliar with these conditions. Thankfully, these are high performing, well-conditioned athletes, but I still would not want to be hit by a frozen soccer ball. It'll leave a mark! The greatest advantage the USMNT will have is the support they will receive from the MN fans!
Can we get this as an actual voicemail? That way I can read the transcript that my iPhone generates. Or can you post a written transcript with the audio (there has to be an app for that)? Going back to your SI days I love your writing, but don’t prefer to listen to your audio/video updates. I realize I’m out of sync with how the world consumes media nowadays, but I connect better with the written word. What I love about your substack posts is how you add transcripts of some of your recordings.
I also grew up in Minneapolis and played soccer into my early 20s here until injuries stopped me. After Halloween, it got really uncomfortable to play outside. After Thanksgiving it gets ridiculous. Its not just the snow and ice. The temps (with or without wind) can be dangerous. There is a reason we now have so many indoor "soccer bubbles" here so that you can play/train year round. There is a reason US Bank Stadium has a roof for football. And, there is a BIG difference between 25 degrees F and 0 degrees F. In MN when its 25 in Jan/Feb a lot of people go outside and enjoy the "nice" weather. But, they are dressed for it. When it's 0, most people stay indoors. Soccer kit is not designed for these kids of temps. I'm crossing my fingers for a US win and no "news" about the weather, but I'm not hopeful on the second item. I wouldn't want to play this game outdoors if I were a player. I wouldn't want to stand on the sideline for 90+ minutes if I was the coach. I run my kid's cross-country ski program and I'm very familiar with being outside (active or standing) for 90+ minutes in all winter conditions and there is a reason we cancel events when it's below 0. Even events that are designed with the right kind of clothing like skiing.
All of these communications are terrific. They provide “ atmosphere” and top
Level analysis. I have a growing fear that the decision to play this match in Minnesota will haunt the USMNT program for ever. As you have said: we have leveled the playing field, and created another element to influence the outcome of this essential match. And if Zimmerman has an “ iffy” hamstring, the below zero weather will ruin him early. In my view, we are saying to the world ( and our own team), “ I don’t think we can beat the worst team in Concacaf on a normal playing field, so we are going to create an ice bowl to shock them into submission.” Not a message of confidence, is it?
I am curious about protocols in such situations. How would a postponement work? Is it something US Soccer would have to sign off on? Could their hand be forced in some way by Honduras or even the refs? If Honduras would refuse to take the field citing health concerns, maybe due to the inability to procure proper clothing in Honduras, what would happen? I realize we are in uncharted territory in terms of health and safety concerns related to cold specifically, but I wonder if there are any precedents for a team refusing to take the field for other helth/safety reasons. (Or the refs)
Thanks for the communication. Great to hear your perspective. Having grown up in MN and played hockey/broomball outdoors in colder temperatures than anticipated for this match, the decision to choose this site in the winter is ridiculous and borderson dangerous for players unfamiliar with these conditions. Thankfully, these are high performing, well-conditioned athletes, but I still would not want to be hit by a frozen soccer ball. It'll leave a mark! The greatest advantage the USMNT will have is the support they will receive from the MN fans!
Can we get this as an actual voicemail? That way I can read the transcript that my iPhone generates. Or can you post a written transcript with the audio (there has to be an app for that)? Going back to your SI days I love your writing, but don’t prefer to listen to your audio/video updates. I realize I’m out of sync with how the world consumes media nowadays, but I connect better with the written word. What I love about your substack posts is how you add transcripts of some of your recordings.
Love your on the fly audio dispatches from the trenches.
Tier 2 (3?) player I was following is Nico Gioacchini but I see he was not invited.
3rd season American Prodigy in the works?
How do we get this in an app? Sometimes hard to keep the email, browser open?