It’s not an issue.
But the Union technical staff would prefer an answer sooner than later.
The question is whether the league deems the potential of a blizzard too great for the Union to play Colorado in Commerce City on Saturday. As of now, game time is slated for a 6 p.m. start, but reports indicate that a snowstorm could dump as much as a foot of snow onto Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
“The league is out in front of it and its Mother Nature so there is not much that can be done at the moment. It’s a difficult situation to navigate and the league is doing a good job of preparing for the different possibilities surrounding the weather they are expecting,” Union technical director Rob Vartughian told philadelphiaunion.com. “We’d like to be on the ground [in Colorado] for the least amount of time as possible.”
Vartughian noted that in addition to the snow, the altitude has to be factored into preparation and planning, which is why the Union originally planned to be in town for less than 24 hours before kickoff, leaving on an AM flight tomorrow and returning home early morning Sunday.
A blizzard could throw a monkey wrench into those plans, should the match get postponed to Sunday once the storm passes.
And that extra day isn’t exactly ideal.
A league spokesperson told philadelphiaunion.com that they willl continue to monitor the conditions, but that they plan to keep everything for now status quo. Late yesterday in fact, the league released this statement:
“Whenever inclement weather is forecast, or actually occurring, at a site that affects an MLS game, the League office works in concert with the two Clubs to monitor the conditions, keeping the safety of the fans, players and staff as the top priority. At this time, we expect the Colorado Rapids vs. Philadelphia Union game to be played as scheduled on Saturday at 4 p.m. local time (6 p.m. ET). Fans are encouraged to visit www.ColoradoRapids.com, www.PhiladelphiaUnion.com or www.MLSsoccer.com for any updates.”
Preparation is important for both teams looking to earn their first victories of the season. Preparation is also ideal as while it made for amazing television, neither team wants to become sequel to the scene that took place in October when a Nor’Easter hit the Tri-State area. That storm came in the midst of an Eastern Conference quarterfinal between D.C. United and Red Bull New York at Red Bull Arena.
And we all know what followed…
As for Rapids coach Oscar Pareja, he’s playing the potential snowfall pretty cool…for now.
“We’re in Colorado,” Pareja told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday. “That’s the nature of our weather, and we deal with it.”
If there is a change in date, time or television, stay informed via the Philadelphia Union Facebook and Twitter account.
Moving on…
The Union held its last practice in Philadelphia ahead of Saturday’s match and is scheduled to do a walkthrough at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park tomorrow to get used to the rarified air.
Back home, you can catch Union midfielder Michael Lahoud tonight at the Tilted Kilt in King of Prussia from 5-6:30 p.m. And on Saturday, come to our viewing party at Oakmont National Pub. To RSVP, click here.
Spanish network Univision (now Univision Deportes Network) picked up its deal to again air select MLS matches and this season, the network has five Union matches scheduled to air beginning with Saturday’s match. In addition, UDN will also air matches against New England (March 16), Columbus (April 6, June 5) and Vancouver (July 27).
We mentioned this a while back, but just a reminder of our job fair on March 16 before the match against New England (5 p.m., The Comcast Network). To register for this event, please CLICK HERE and use the promo code JOBFAIR13. By purchasing a ticket for the Union-Revolution game using the promo code above, you will be automatically registered for the job fair. Have additional questions? Contact Philadelphia Union Fan Services at 877-21-UNION (877-218-6466) or email fanservices@philadelphiaunion.com
In the news…
Union writer Kevin Kinkead ponders Colorado's lineup against the Union given the young talent that took the field for the Rapids in their season opener against FC Dallas…MLSSoccer.com’s Dave Zeitlin sat down with newest Union signee Matt Kassel about his journey to this point in Major League Soccer…CBS21’s Jason Bristol writes that fresh off Wednesday’s announcement regarding the extended partnership between the Union and developmental affiliate Harrisburg, the City Islanders are "making a pitch for a new pitch."
Very nice alliteration, Jason...
Catch us tomorrow for our weekend edition. Got a question or comment? Leave it below.
Contact Union writer Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
