'It was an absolute joke' - Steve Cherundolo reacts to snowstorm conditions in LAFC's defeat to RSL
- Carlos Gomez's first-half brace propelled RSL to victory
- LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo was fed up with the adverse weather conditions
- The game was called off twice before finally kicking-off a few hours later than the original start time
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo wasn't thrilled to be walking in a winter wonderland after Real Salt Lake's 3-0 thumping of LAFC Saturday afternoon at America First Field.
The Western Conference clubs were set to do battle in the early kick-off time slot to begin MLS matchday two. But it wasn't until a few hours later when the teams actually got things up and running, with a drastic turn of weather conditions.
Right up until the original start time, there were heavy winds and overcast clouds at RSL's home ground. But once the teams kicked-off two hours later, snow started to fall and there was a brief pause just minutes into the game. However, the sides eventually got on with it when the snow really started to come down, as the hosts enjoyed a 3-0 victory thanks to a pair of first-half strikes from Carlos Gomez.
Cherundolo, though, was visibly frustrated in his postgame press conference and made his feelings known about both teams competing on the snow-covered pitch.
"It was an absolute joke we had to play today. It was one of the worst professional sporting events I've ever seen in my life," Cherundolo said. "The game could have and should have been called. In my opinion, it was an absolute disgrace we had to play today."
Cherundolo continued with his frustrations, explaining that the players shouldn't have been forced to play in the adverse conditions - even though Salt Lake took advantage and found a way to score not one, but three goals on the day.
"It was impossible conditions. I feel terrible for the players that we put them through this," said Cherundolo. "It was just ridiculous, there's no other way to put it."
On the flip side, however, Salt Lake boss Pablo Mastroeni - who was already the happier of the two coaches as his side picked up three points - argued that RSL had to endure the same conditions like LAFC, but they simply pushed through it and found a way to win.
"It wasn't easy for either team...so just a real credit to the players and the mindset to not allow circumstances beyond their control to affect them," Mastroeni said.
"It's about mentality. You don’t prepare by training in it, right? And I think the team that quickly adapts to the circumstances around them and controls the controllables has a better chance in it."
RSL return to action this Saturday to take on Colorado Rapids at America First Field, looking to capture their second win of the campaign. The Black and Gold return to BMO Stadium for a clash with Sporting Kansas City, aiming to get back on the right track in their third game of 2024.
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