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Game was stopped in the 50th minute by a FIFA official but after conferring with players on both sides the ref decided to play on. I always thought that unless the players were in danger (no one was even slipping until maybe the 85th minute) the game has to go on. This weather is more common in the UK than it is in the USA - during football season that is.

Some great pictures included.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/03/23/usmnt-world-cup-qualifier-costa-rica-protest-snow/2012781/


The U.S. defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Friday night in Commerce City, Colo., but the result itself wasn't the story of the match.

Played in blizzard-like conditions, officials briefly halted the match 10 minutes after halftime, but players from both sides seemed to be encouraging the referees to allow play to continue. It did, and the U.S. held on.

After the match, Costa Rica's manager Jorge Luis Pinto vented his frustrations and said the Costa Rican FA will file an official protest to FIFA.

"It was an embarrassment to football, disrespectful to the game.

"I feel embarrassed... We're going to ask about it. When you can't see the lines on the field, the game should automatically be stopped."

Costa Rica's players also fumed after the match.

Midfielder Christian Bolanos, who plays in Denmark:

"Honestly, it was robbery, a disgrace, I've never played a game in these conditions. You couldn't see the ball ... if we had played without snow, we would have won, I am sure."

Forward Alvaro Saborio of MLS club Real Salt Lake:

"We couldn't play in those conditions, they should have stopped the game in the first half."

If the game had been abandoned, it would have had to be played within 48 hours, a major problem with both teams playing qualifiers on Tuesday.

Added goalkeeper Keylor Navas:

"They're not playing conditions for playing soccer on. I would love to play in a field where the field was good."

Considering the pitches at some other CONCACAF sites, you could easily argue that Friday's snow-covered field was in better condition than the sandlots around the region.

Earlier on Friday, Mexico and Honduras played to a 2-2 draw with temperatures rising above 100 degrees in San Pedro Sula.

[youtube]C9xuaQDkmL8[/youtube]

sour grapes

had they won, they wouldn't be moaning

if it was england v brazil it would of been called off or any other major football nation.

safety comes first, yes, but the game can be abandoned for "playing" reasons too, fog being the most common. I haven't seen the pictures, but if the players couldn't see the lines then the game should have been stopped fo sho.

Arjan Van Schotte wrote:safety comes first, yes, but the game can be abandoned for "playing" reasons too, fog being the most common. I haven't seen the pictures, but if the players couldn't see the lines then the game should have been stopped fo sho.

The grounds crew in Denver were amazing, they line were cleared every chance. There was not one instance i recall when you could see the box, bylines or touchlines.

Florida Blue wrote:

Arjan Van Schotte wrote:safety comes first, yes, but the game can be abandoned for "playing" reasons too, fog being the most common. I haven't seen the pictures, but if the players couldn't see the lines then the game should have been stopped fo sho.

The grounds crew in Denver were amazing, they line were cleared every chance. There was not one instance i recall when you could see the box, bylines or touchlines.

eh? do you mean there was not one instance you couldn't see the lines?!

I assume you do!

when i was refereeing, we were told that unless there were serious safety concerns, it was up to the 2 managers, and if they disagreed, it was up to you.

mind, that was in the devizes sunday league.

Arjan Van Schotte wrote:

Florida Blue wrote:

Arjan Van Schotte wrote:safety comes first, yes, but the game can be abandoned for "playing" reasons too, fog being the most common. I haven't seen the pictures, but if the players couldn't see the lines then the game should have been stopped fo sho.

The grounds crew in Denver were amazing, they line were cleared every chance. There was not one instance i recall when you could see the box, bylines or touchlines.

eh? do you mean there was not one instance you couldn't see the lines?!

I assume you do!

when i was refereeing, we were told that unless there were serious safety concerns, it was up to the 2 managers, and if they disagreed, it was up to you.

mind, that was in the devizes sunday league.

Yes, pretty much cleared all game. When ball was at opposite end of pitch, shovels were used on the 18 yard and 6 yard boxes. And consistently on the by and touchlines. There must have been 30 people working it.

Can't believe Dick didn't have some orange balls.

Bit of snow thats all. ;-)

Should've been called, watching those highlights were horrific!! Where was the orange ball????

Dubciteh wrote:Should've been called, watching those highlights were horrific!! Where was the orange ball????

Apparently the yellow ball is the new orange ball? Or the geniuses that be USA Soccer have no clue that it can snow in Denver 10 out of 12 months. Honstly Dub, I am with you, it should have been called. Not only was it hard to watch, it wasn't even funny. I am sure it would be fun to play in that weather but not in a World Cup qualifier.

costa rica demanding a replay now ... so, we might go around again! They can hold the rematch in DC, where they're currently in the middle of a snow storm as well.

Florida Blue wrote:
Apparently the yellow ball is the new orange ball? Or the geniuses that be USA Soccer have no clue that it can snow in Denver 10 out of 12 months. Honstly Dub, I am with you, it should have been called. Not only was it hard to watch, it wasn't even funny. I am sure it would be fun to play in that weather but not in a World Cup qualifier.

it's probably because it snows 10 months in the year that they chose Denver. Now LA. City in the Smog, that would be a health hazard !

zuricity wrote:

Florida Blue wrote:
Apparently the yellow ball is the new orange ball? Or the geniuses that be USA Soccer have no clue that it can snow in Denver 10 out of 12 months. Honstly Dub, I am with you, it should have been called. Not only was it hard to watch, it wasn't even funny. I am sure it would be fun to play in that weather but not in a World Cup qualifier.

it's probably because it snows 10 months in the year that they chose Denver. Now LA. City in the Smog, that would be a health hazard !

Very clear, that plus the elevation.

Florida Blue wrote:
Very clear, that plus the elevation.

yep,the Broncos play at Mile High stadium

looks like they don't have undersoil heating in Denver

otherwise it's a bit like City Fulham last season isn't it?

[youtube]UobhxPcMi1c[/youtube]

ruralblue wrote:Bit of snow thats all. ;-)

Yeah ffs deal with it just like the english do, year after year



;)

Bianchi on Ice wrote:
Yeah ffs deal with it just like the english do, year after year

;)

We are fully prepared for snow in this Country. All schools have some hand made scrawled posters ready to slap on the front door to announce 'school closure' as soon as a flake falls from the sky!

ruralblue wrote:

Bianchi on Ice wrote:
Yeah ffs deal with it just like the english do, year after year

;)

We are fully prepared for snow in this Country. All schools have some hand made scrawled posters ready to slap on the front door to announce 'school closure' as soon as a flake falls from the sky!

you didn't get your "parentmail" at 0700 after the staff had inspected the site then?