HONOLULU (AP) — The Aloha Stadium manager has confirmed that U.S. soccer officials did visit the field prior to the cancellation of the U.S. women’s soccer team game Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago due to poor field conditions. ADVERTISING HONOLULU
HONOLULU (AP) — The Aloha Stadium manager has confirmed that U.S. soccer officials did visit the field prior to the cancellation of the U.S. women’s soccer team game Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago due to poor field conditions.
Stadium manager Scott Chan said Sunday that the officials had visited the soccer facility Thursday and it was deemed it safe for play, KHON-TV reported.
“We were under the impression, prior to that signing of the contract, they were OK with the conditions that we have,” Chan said. “What they saw is what we offered. Even to address the dimensions of the field, it was spelled out in the contract and they knew, we knew up front that we did not have the dimensions that they were requesting, so they would have to play under those conditions.”
The U.S. soccer team found the terrain, seam placement and stadium dimensions unfit during training on Saturday. U.S. Soccer said in a statement that “the artificial turf surface is not suitable to hold an international soccer match.”
Chan apologized for the inconvenience during a press conference Sunday.
“We are truly sorry and it’s an unfortunate situation, we wish we could do more, again that was not a decision we made and we will do our best to accommodate those who were inconvenienced,” said.
The team did hold an open workout in place of the cancelled game Sunday in Waipio.
The game was part of a 10-city tour following the team’s victory in the Women’s World Cup this past summer.
