FIFA Women's World Cup attendance during Saturday’s two Group E matches at Montreal's Olympic Stadium "was significantly better than Tuesday’s openers, with a believable total crowd of 28,623 for the two matches -- although roughly 15,000 were on hand for the late [South] Korea-Costa Rica tilt," according to Jack Todd of the MONTREAL GAZETTE. The first game on Saturday at Olympic Stadium was Brazil-Spain, and the 15,000 at South Korea-Costa Rica "was still far better than Spain-Costa Rica on Tuesday afternoon, a game that drew fewer than 2,000 fans" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 6/15). USA TODAY's Logothetis & Litman write Canada's Group A game today against the Netherlands at Olympic Stadium "will give attendance a boost but will not be the true indicator of the city's interest" in the tournament. Montreal organizers said that 38,000 seats "have been sold" for today's game and are hopeful that they "can sell enough tickets and have 50,000 fill the stadium." Canada's arrival "is a timely boost, but the question is whether it will carry over two dates later when England plays Colombia at Olympic Stadium in a Group F match" at 4:00pm ET (USA TODAY, 6/15). Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Steve Ewen reports a "large crowd of American fans is expected" tomorrow at BC Place, where the U.S. will wrap up Group D play with a matchup against Nigeria. At last word, more than 40,000 tickets "had been sold for the game." During Friday's Group C play at BC Place, a crowd "announced at 31,441" saw Japan beat Cameroon and Switzerland beat Ecuador (VANCOUVER PROVINCE, 6/15).
FIELD OF SCREAMS: In L.A., Kevin Baxter writes those who are complaining about tournament games being played on artificial turf as opposed to natural grass "may have a point since scoring is way down in this World Cup." Take away Germany's 10-0 victory over Ivory Coast and two losses in which Ecuador gave up 16 goals, and "there have been only 2.24 goals per game in the tournament," which is "down nearly half a goal from four years ago." Two games have ended scoreless, the first since '07, and six "have produced only one goal." Some U.S. players think the artificial turf is an "explanation" for their "offensive struggles" in the tournament. U.S. F Abby Wambach said of the team's three goals scored in two games, "I definitely think that the United States has more goals if we're playing on grass" (L.A. TIMES, 6/15). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes soccer "is meant to be played on grass, not a synthetic surface that changes the way the ball rolls and bounces, and forces defenders to alter the way they've played the game since they were" young. The only thing worse than "seeing clouds of pellets kick up during the games is hearing players talk about having to dig them out of their shorts and socks afterward" (USA TODAY, 6/15). ESPNW's Jeff Carlisle wrote while the tournament "could have and should have been played on grass," it "isn't, and no amount of complaining is going to change that." Therefore, it "shouldn't be used as an explanation for underperforming," as it is not as if the U.S. "is the only team playing games on turf." All venues "have artificial turf," so while the playing field "might not be exactly the one some players want ... it is level" (ESPNW.com, 6/14).
GROWING THE GAME: The MONTREAL GAZETTE's Todd writes the women’s game "improves by leaps and bounds with every major international competition." The caliber of play "is better, the organization on the pitch, the quality of the athletes, everything." What is "most noticeable is that more nations are competitive every time out" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 6/15). Meanwhile, in Edmonton, Derek Van Diest notes teams from Switzerland and Cameroon are in the Women's World Cup for the first time and will meet tomorrow at Commonwealth Stadium in their final Group C group game "with a spot into the knockout stages on the line." Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu: "From the feedback we’ve been getting back home, more girls are getting interested in soccer because we are in this tournament." Cameroon F Gaelle Enganamouit: "Women’s football has been much better in Cameroon for the last two or three years. With our participation in the World Cup, I think everything is going to change in Cameroon" (EDMONTON SUN, 6/15).
