Well played Canada, well played.
Instead of scheduling a mid-November fixture at its usual home field in Toronto, the Canucks will be playing a crucial World Cup Qualifying match against Mexico on the frigid plains of Alberta.
Edmonton forecast for kick-off:
-7°C with a chance of crunching tackles & relentless #CANMNT pressure
#WCQ #ForCanada pic.twitter.com/IWYHdUO4qd— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 16, 2021
Tuesday's match in Edmonton will feature a temperature of 19 degrees Fahrenheit around kickoff with winds ranging from 10-20 MPH. Real-feel temperatures will be in the single digits.
Oh yeah, and the forecast calls for 4-9 inches of snow to cover the artificial turf of Commonwealth Stadium before sundown.
Ever play on turf in sub-freezing conditions? Frozen turf offers all the amenities of a wet slab of concrete while also causing debilitating pain in your knees and shins.
Estadio #Iceteca
(let's get that trending, eh?)Edmonton! We're counting on you to make this our Frozen Fortress tonight. You know what to do!#CANMNT #WCQ #ForCanada pic.twitter.com/TELcxdQHEY
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 16, 2021
A headline from the Edmonton Journal earlier this week read: "Edmonton weather: Buckle up, it's going to be a blustery ride." If that's the headline in the Canadian Prairies, you best believe it's going to be miserable.
Meanwhile, in tropical Toronto, it will be a balmy 38 degrees at 8 p.m.
Mexico won't have too much time to complain though, as El Tri is just one point ahead of Canada at the halfway point in the final round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying.
