Rain came pouring down in San Diego on Wednesday night, but that didn’t stop the United States Women’s National Team’s matchup against Canada in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinals match from being played.
There was water visibly sitting on the field at Snapdragon Stadium. Players on both teams slipped and slid all across the field when trying to either kick the ball or defend. The weather conditions made for a scary on-field situation.
Fans online began begging CONCACAF to postpone, or even briefly pause, the match as the players’ health and safety seemed to become a concern.
One video of United States midfielder Lindsey Horan shows just how intense the conditions were. She went to kick the soccer ball, but instead just kicked up water and missed the ball completely.
Lindsey Horan tried to play a long ball.
— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) March 7, 2024
She kicked water instead. pic.twitter.com/rXKcvAKiNY
It’s up to the referees to make a decision, though.
“It is solely at the discretion of the referee as to whether the field is safe and playable,” a CONCACAF spokesperson told Yahoo! Sports’s Henry Bushnell.
The winner of Wednesday night’s match will advance to the W Gold Cup final, so a lot is on the line. Check out some of the social media reactions from fans wanting the match to stop until the weather improves:
[Editors’ note: The USWNT went on to win on penalty kicks after a 2–2 match. The U.S. will play Brazil, a 3–0 semifinal winner over Mexico, on Sunday in San Diego.]
This is so insane. STOP THE MATCH. #uswnt
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) March 7, 2024
CONCACAF making the #CanWNT and #USWNT play on this pitch is a disgrace.
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) March 7, 2024
This is laughable. pic.twitter.com/sIQ0hmqWKk
hey @ concacaf what are we doing babes #uswnt
— Emma Hruby (@emmarhruby) March 7, 2024
This is just silly and probably dangerous honestly #USWNT pic.twitter.com/G0Tw6SWpCj
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) March 7, 2024
don't forget swimsuits for the pool🤣
— CapiNinho (@CapiNinho) March 7, 2024
Canada and @USWNT vs. the water 💀 pic.twitter.com/4oAiVJaMRK
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 7, 2024
Grounds crew at half time: #USWNT pic.twitter.com/cj4H4WqtPX
— Gal Pal Sports (@GalPalSports) March 7, 2024
They’re gonna have to call this game otherwise…. #USWNT pic.twitter.com/3mjRzCyfdk
— Neha Dixit (@ndixit1107) March 7, 2024
concacaf WHAT are we doing here. they’re playing in a POOL 😭#USWNT #CANWNT #WGoldCup pic.twitter.com/9IvEMEAGS2
— Dylan Kanner (@DKanner10) March 7, 2024
