Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and head coach Lionel Scaloni sharply criticized the temporary grass pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium following their team’s 2-0 win over Canada to kick off the Copa América.
Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez scored in the second half on Thursday night in Atlanta, giving the defending champions a winning start to a special edition of the tournament in the United States.
In order to host Copa games, officials in Atlanta agreed to install a temporary grass surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which usually has artificial turf. That switch was made after Saturday’s MLS game between Atlanta United and Houston.
The results, according to Martínez, were far from ideal.
“The state of the pitch was a disaster,” the Aston Villa goalkeeper said. “Very bumpy. We must improve in this aspect, otherwise, Copa América will always appear at a lower level than the European Championship.”
In his post-game press conference, Scaloni echoed the words of his goalkeeper.
“Better that we won, or else it would have appeared as an excuse,” Scaloni said of the field.
“But they knew seven months ago that we’d play here and they changed the field two days ago. It’s not an excuse, but this isn’t a good field. Sincerely, the field is not apt for these players.”
“It felt like walking on a stage, as if it was hollow,” Canadian defender Kamal Miller added.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host just one more game in the Copa América: the U.S. men’s national team’s match against Panama on Thursday.
Prior to that game, the USMNT will also play its Copa América opener on a temporary grass surface when it faces Bolivia on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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