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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Saturday’s highly anticipated NWSL matchup between the Kansas City current and Orlando Pride was delayed by 3 1/2 hours due to extreme heat, ultimately ending in a scoreless draw.
A 3 1/2-hour heat delay postponed Saturday’s NWSL game, resulting in a 0-0 tie between the Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride.
Heat Advisory Pushes Kickoff Time
The game,originally slated for a 3:12 p.m. local time start, faced a important postponement. At 3:11 p.m., with temperatures soaring to 95 degrees and a heat index of 103 degrees in Kansas City, the Current announced the weather delay. The National Weather Service had issued a heat advisory for the region throughout the weekend.
The decision to delay was based on safety concerns, with the wet bulb globe temperature needing to be below 92 degrees for play to commence. Initial readings just after the scheduled kickoff were reportedly above 96 degrees.
– The wet bulb globe temperature combines heat, humidity, sunlight, and wind to assess heat stress risk for athletes. A lower reading is needed for safe play.
– Staying hydrated is crucial during extreme heat. Athletes should drink plenty of water before, during, and after physical activity.
– Why was the game delayed? Officials prioritized player safety due to dangerously high temperatures and humidity, exceeding acceptable thresholds for competition.
The match was officially rescheduled to 6:28 p.m.CT, with teams briefly warming up again before returning inside around 4 p.m. CT due to persistently high temperatures.
Captain Lo LaBonta addressed the crowd, acknowledging the players’ frustration: “Nobody, believe me, especially the players, are happy about this delay right now.”
Defensive Battle Ends in a Draw
Once the game finally kicked off at 6:30 p.m. CT,it evolved into a defensive struggle. While it’s unclear if the extreme heat impacted performance, both teams appeared to tire as the match progressed under the setting sun at CPKC stadium.
The match pitted the NWSL’s most dominant team, the Current, against last year’s top team, the pride.Despite having numerous scoring opportunities, Kansas City was unable to find the back of the net.
Orlando’s leading scorer, Barbra Banda, was substituted out in the 14th minute due to an injury. Though Banda’s absence impacted the Pride’s attacking threat, thier defense proved resilient, thwarting 16 shots from the Current.
Kansas City striker Bia Zaneratto had a prime chance to win the game in stoppage time,but her shot was saved by Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse,sealing the 0-0 result.
- The Kansas City current and Orlando Pride match was delayed 3 1/2 hours due to extreme heat.
- Temperatures reached 95 degrees with a heat index of 103 degrees at the scheduled kickoff time.
- The game concluded in a 0-0 draw, with both teams unable to score.
- Orlando’s Barbra Banda left the game early with an injury.
This marks the first time the Current have been held scoreless at CPKC Stadium as its opening last year. Despite the draw, Kansas City maintains a strong lead in the NWSL standings with 40 points, nearing the NWSL Shield. Orlando sits second with 28 points, tied with the Washington Spirit.
The scheduling of a 3 p.m.August match, likely for broadcasting purposes, raises questions about the NWSL’
