Dortmund Manager Slams MetLife Stadium Pitch, Blames Heat for Subpar Club World Cup Performance

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač has voiced his concerns regarding the playing surface at MetLife Stadium, suggesting it was more suitable for golf than a Club World Cup match. He also expressed reservations about the summer heat in the New York area being unsuitable for high-level soccer.

"It's more a golf green, so you can putt here," Kovač said following Dortmund's 3-2 quarterfinal defeat to **Real Madrid**. "It's very short. But this is not the grass we are used to playing on in the Bundesliga and also in the other two stadiums."

Dortmund commenced their group stage campaign at MetLife Stadium, which is slated to host the Club World Cup semifinals and final, as well as the World Cup final next year. The German side also played two games at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium and a Round of 16 match at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

"As you saw, the watering wasn't good enough, I would say, because you don't have the devices for that." Kovač said. "When it's too dry, it's unbelievable. It's sticking."

The afternoon kickoff saw temperatures reaching 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Similar or even higher temperatures are anticipated for next year's World Cup, with 11 venues located in the U.S., most of which lack roofs or air conditioning.

During the 1994 World Cup, a significant portion of matches were scheduled between noon and 2 p.m. EDT to accommodate European viewers. The kickoff times for the expanded 104-game tournament next year are expected to be finalized after the draw in December.

Kovač also lamented the impact of the warm weather throughout the Club World Cup, stating, "We played two times in Cincinnati. The first time it was 12 o'clock. The second time it was 3 p.m. and the pitch we had temperatures of around about 45 degrees (113 degrees Fahrenheit),"

He emphasized the strain on players, adding, "When the temperature is 45 degrees, this is not amazing. This is very hard for someone, and the players, they must play these games."

Kovač proposed adjustments to kickoff times to enhance the quality of play and spectator experience.

"Today, we had 35 degrees (95 degrees Fahrenheit). It's also not much better, to be honest. But, OK, this a tournament we need to play. And I would suggest -- my suggestion, that the kickoff time will be a little later. ... So the intensity is also much higher. And as a supporter, as a spectator, you would like to see intensive, aggressive, up-and-down football. So when it's too hot, then it's difficult to play this kind of football."