NWSL Criticized For Hosting Game On Narrow Pitch At Frontier Field

The NWSL Western New York Flash's 3-2 win over the Seattle Reign yesterday at Frontier Field was played on a "smaller-than-usual" pitch, which was configured in the outfield "because the NWSL wouldn't allow it to be played over the dirt baseball infield." Reign coach Laura Harvey said, "I was told the field was 110-by-61 (yards). That’s 100-by -58. I got lied to the whole week. ... This league is supposed to be professional. That’s not good enough" (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 7/10). The game was held on Frontier Field because the Flash's regular stadium "was hosting a music festival." On Twitter USWNT MF Carli Lloyd called it "shocking and embarrassing," and USWNT MF Megan Rapinoe and F Alex Morgan "also expressed their incredulity." NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush said, "In retrospect, we made the wrong decision" (ESPN.com, 7/9).