Next Monday, the Los Angeles Rams are set to “host” the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL game at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. However, the league is reportedly looking into moving the game back to LA because the field, quite frankly, looks like a case of hellfire diarrhea.
Last May, the legendary stadium switched its pitch from natural grass to a hybrid surface, but with both Club America and Cruz Azul utilizing the Azteca, the grass has been a constant source of anxiety over the last few months.
Back in October, the state of it all came to a head following a pair of Shakira concerts at the venue. This was also around the time of some record rainfall in the city.
Después de los conciertos de @shakira la cancha del estadio Azteca luce en malas condiciones para el juego de @ClubAmerica vs @Xolos en la #J13ligamx #DJIMexico #DJIMavicair @DJIMexOficial @DJIGlobal @record_mexico pic.twitter.com/OqPRHuUfJr
— Miguel Pontón (@Migue_luk) October 15, 2018
And things have only gotten progressively worse over the past month. Last Wednesday, the Azteca hosted another concert which tore the pitch to shreds.
Let's play ball! Photo: Reddit
Then, on Saturday, Cruz Azul hosted Lobos on the ridiculous surface. Just wait until you see the north side of the field.
The field admittedly looks better now with the NFL putting all its clout into making sure things go ahead on Monday, but how will it look when América hosts Veracruz on Nov. 24 to complete Apertura regular season play?
Estadio Azteca on Saturday vs. this morning. Still 6 days until Chiefs-Rams. It’s getting there.
R-E-L-A-X pic.twitter.com/qEsZWYBmdS— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) November 13, 2018
Discussions continue about whether Monday night’s Chiefs-Rams game will be played in Mexico City, LA or postponed, per sources. NFL determined to play it Monday night in Mexico City, but the field is “a mess” and might not be safe for players. It’s a significant concern.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2018
Cruz Azul’s manager Pedro Caixinha voiced his concerns following Saturday’s game: “The field is not in the best condition and that concerns me for the next tournament. We all know that it’s not right, that it has not been right and that it will not be all right, but those are the circumstances, and if we can help, we will do it.”
And it’s absurd because “the next tournament” that Caixinha is referencing is the Liguilla (the Apertura playoffs). Cruz Azul tops the table with 33 points and América sits second with 30. Both have already clinched their places in the playoffs, so both are guaranteed at least one home match at the quarterfinal stage.
The NFL might manage to pull off the Monday night game, but it’s only going to be to the extreme detriment of Liga MX.
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