Women's World Cup on artificial turf ?!

Wambach vocal in opposing artificial turf for 2015 Women's World Cup

The 2015 Women's World Cup is set to be played on artificial turf in five of the six stadiums used for the event in Canada, and reigning World Player of the Year Abby Wambach of the U.S. is one of several players hoping there's enough time to change FIFA's mind and get grass fields for the sport's marquee event.

"For me, the first thought is disappointment," Wambach said of the recent FIFA announcement. "I'm feeling like this is the women's game taking a step back."

Wambach and her teammates received a survey from FIFA during the recent Algarve Cup asking them questions about their preferred artificial turf surfaces. But the answer, she said, is none of the above. Wambach is one of several U.S. players (including Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd) who has taken to Twitter to register her dissatisfaction with FIFA's decision. With slightly more than two years to go before the 2015 World Cup, Wambach thinks there's enough time to make a difference.

"All we really ask for is to be heard," she said. "We believe this is a shame not only for the players but for the fans. The game plays differently on artificial surface, not only because of fear of injury but because it's a different surface. You can also talk about it being a gender discrimination issue. Would they ever let the men's World Cup be played on an artificial surface?"

FIFA has approved some forms of artificial turf, but grass fields have been a constant as World Cups. While Wambach is cognizant that natural grass vs. artificial turf could be a financial issue for organizers, she said she wants to mobilize the top women's players from around the world and put together a thoughtful plan that would involve FIFA, the host Canadians and other participating federations.

"You have to get the big names across the world, the Homare Sawas and Alex Morgans and Lotta Schelins," she said. "A bunch of us on our team have spoken to each other about it. But thoughts only go so far. We have to start putting our words into action."

Wambach points out that Thierry Henry refuses to play on most artificial surfaces in MLS -- including the one in Montreal's Olympic Stadium, a World Cup '15 venue -- and argues that none of the top men's stars would agree to play on the fake stuff at such an important tournament.

How far is Wambach going to go in this fight?

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes," she said. "There are standards of the game that FIFA governs and promises to uphold. I think [a World Cup with artificial turf] would be a travesty and a nightmare for all of us."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130401/abby-wambach-turf-womens-world-cup/index.html?xid=nl_siextra

She should go ahead and retire then. Let some kids that don't mind the artificial turf have the chance.

frankly given the miserable state of affairs for women's soccer, i think she should thank god anyones willing to host it...

Uncle Numanga wrote:She should go ahead and retire then. Let some kids that don't mind the artificial turf have the chance.

I cant think of one player that would prefer artificial turf over the he real deal. High bounces, long skids, hard landings, rug burns. She is right.

my2cents wrote:I cant think of one player that would prefer artificial turf over the real deal. High bounces, long skids, hard landings, rug burns. She is right.

I agree... The poor defenders that will be slide tackling on this stuff multiple times will be scraped raw.

I get it that its in Canada, and real grass is a bit difficult to keep up, especially in large stadiums, but Abby is correct in saying that there is no way the men's side would ever play on turf. I remember them bringing in real grass at Cowboy Stadium for the single match between Chelsea and Club America back when they played there. Both teams refused to play on Artificial turf.

Canada has been extremely enthusiastic about hosting the tournament, I'm betting there is no way you will hear Sinclair or Tancredi speaking out against this... but I bet they don't like it. Will be interesting to see if members of other National teams will say anything.