Western New York Flash vs Seattle Reign NWSL game shoved into the outfield of Frontier Field to play their game. Read about the unfair treatment and let us know what you think of this, and how it should be changed! Last night, we witnessed female athletes being pushed aside once again.
In the Western New York Flash vs Seattle Reign NWSL game, the conditions of the field were no where up to what they are supposed to be. They were shoved into the outfield of Frontier Field to play their game. For those of you who do not play soccer, a regulation size field is 70-80 yards wide by 110-120 yards long. Last night's game was played on a field only 58 yards wide…due to a scheduling conflict. Due to the tight field conditions, the Flash were able to score off of two throw ins! The smaller field made the dimensions of the entire field out of order, such as having the 18 yard box extend almost all the way out to the side lines. These extremely unprofessional acts pidgin hole girls into thinking they are treated of lesser important than the boys are. This unfair treatment also was shown this previous summer, when the Women's World Cup was played on turf, while the Men's World Cup was on grass. While this was the first time that an NWSL game had been played on a baseball field, the fact that it even happened at a professional level is unprofessional and should never have happened. It caused for players to be at risk of their safety. Seattle Reign goalkeeper, Haley Kopmeyer, was in a non-contact injury and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. Because girls are treated unfairly at the highest level of sports it is discouraging to those who look up to their idols out there playing on the field. NWSL players expressed their frustration, and many fans did too. Megan Rapinoe, US Women's National Team and Seattle Reign Midfielder, and Jessica Fishlock, Seattle Reign Midfielder, both tweeted out to NWSL and Commissioner Jeff Plush their opinions about how unacceptable these conditions were. Commissioner of the NWSL, Jeff Plush, released this statement about the conditions of the field. "Earlier this evening the Western New York Flash hosted a home match at a different venue to Rhinos Stadium not being available. The field dimensions were not up to our standards, but due to various factors, the league office made the decision to grant an exception for this evening's match. In retrospect, we made the wrong decision. As a professional league, we need to ensure that the integrity of the game is always respected both on and off the field. We did not do that tonight and we apologize to the NWSL players, coaches and fans. In the future,we will ensure that every NWSL match meets out standards" This unprofessional act relays down to young female soccer players and makes them question how much are they cared for when it comes to begin a professional athlete. Remember girls, you aren't of less importance than the guys teams. This applies to all sports! Don't let unprofessional acts by others impact your passion for the game!
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GoalTo keep girls involved in sports for longer Archives
October 2021
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