Weston McKennie fumes over the lack of ‘atmosphere’ in US stadiums at the Copa America… while joining Argentina in criticism of ‘patchy’ playing surface
Weston McKennie has hit out at several aspects of the Copa America as he mocked a perceived lack of playing atmosphere and ‘frustrating’ issues with the playing surface.
On Friday, Argentina complained about the grass at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez described the pitch as a ‘disaster’ despite the 2-0 win over Canada.
And American midfielder McKennie has now joined the chorus of critics of the tournament, which will also see the Americans play Mercedes-Benz in Atlanta next week.
“I think what Martinez said was completely true,” he said The Athletics.
‘It’s frustrating, especially as a player. You know, when you come here to America, you play in a stadium that seats 70,000 people, but 25,000 people show up. You don’t really have an atmosphere.
Weston McKennie has criticized the playing conditions at this summer’s Copa America
He also complained about a perceived lack of ‘atmosphere’. The friendly match between the United States and Brazil earlier this month in Orlando was filled with opponents.
‘And then you play on a football field, with landscaped grass that is all spotty and destroys every step you take. It’s frustrating.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitutiontickets for Argentina’s victory over Canada were sold out.
However, tickets for the USA’s tournament opener against Bolivia in Arlington are selling for just $85 Seatgeek.
US Soccer has alternated between different venues for matches in recent years, and the crowd was filled with opposing fans (a common trend) when the men’s team faced Brazil in Orlando.
Elaborating on the Copa America’s ground issues, McKennie said: “Everyone knows football is a big business, it’s all about the dollars and the money in the pocket, but at the end of the day we need the best conditions to be able to do what we love. and get the best out of us and get the best results.”
Mercedes-Benz Field, home of MLS’ Atlanta United and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, normally uses an artificial playing surface.
The stadium has installed a turf surface for this tournament, and it is not the only Copa America venue to use this method.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the grass hindered his team’s victory over Canada
McKennie also acknowledged some issues with the playing surface at the European Championships, but claimed that ‘they all play on big pitches’ in Germany.
On Friday, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was furious about the playing field in Atlanta after the match.
“With all due respect, thank God we won because otherwise it would have been a cheap excuse to sit here and say this,” he said.
‘We knew we would play here for seven months and two days ago they changed the grass. It’s not good for the show. I’m sorry.
‘The stadium is beautiful and with artificial grass it should be spectacular, but with the current grass it was not suitable for these types of players.’