Los Angeles FC manager Steve Cherundolo says it was an “absolute joke” his team played in heavy snow in their 3-0 Major League Soccer defeat at Real Salt Lake.
The weather caused a two-hour delay – then four minutes after kick-off, play was suspended because of lightning.
When play resumed an hour later, the pitch was covered in snow, which fell heavily throughout the match in Utah.
“It was impossible conditions,” said Cherundolo. “I feel terrible for the players that we put them through this.”
He added: “It was an absolute joke we had to play today. It was one of the worst professional sporting events I’ve ever seen in my life.
“The game could have and should have been called [off]. In my opinion, it was an absolute disgrace we had to play today.”
Real manager Pablo Mastroeni said: “It’s about mentality. You don’t prepare by training in it, right? And I think the team that quickly adapts to the circumstances around them and controls the controllables has a better chance in it.
“It wasn’t easy for either team, so just a real credit to the players and the mindset to not allow circumstances beyond their control to affect them.”
