Summer in America often brings with it a predictable combination of sunshine, outdoor activities, and, for professional athletes, the relentless challenge of performing under a blazing sun. Yet, in Kansas City recently, the scorching conditions prompted a truly rare intervention: an extreme heat delay for a National Women`s Soccer League (NWSL) match. This wasn`t merely a pause for a passing shower; it was a deliberate, three-and-a-half-hour halt to a high-stakes game between the Kansas City Current and the Orlando Pride, underscoring a critical, evolving conversation about athlete welfare.
The Unscheduled Pause in Kansas City
The highly anticipated clash, initially slated for a 3 p.m. local kickoff, found itself in an unprecedented limbo. What began as a hopeful afternoon for fans and players alike stretched into a protracted waiting game, with the ball finally rolling at 6:28 p.m. This lengthy delay wasn`t due to technical glitches or an unexpected celebrity appearance; it was the direct application of a policy few leagues have had to truly operationalize. It showcased the NWSL`s commitment to player safety, yet simultaneously revealed the complex, almost comedic, dance of real-time decision-making, as the game teetered on the brink of starting multiple times before being pushed back again.
“The league aims to play matches as scheduled whenever safely possible,” the NWSL stated. “While forecasts guide planning, we primarily rely on real-time, on-site weather data to make informed decisions in accordance with our inclement weather policies and protocols. Based on those inputs, the league made the decision to delay [Saturday’s] match.”
This statement, while reassuring in its intent, hinted at the inherent challenge: safety decisions, unlike pre-game hype, can`t always be made days in advance, creating an unpredictable gameday experience.
Beyond the Thermometer: The Science of WBGT
For the uninitiated, determining “too hot to play” isn`t as simple as glancing at a standard thermometer. The NWSL`s rigorous policy, a component of its collective bargaining agreement ratified last year, engages when air temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit alongside a National Weather Service heat warning, watch, or advisory. The real scientific backbone, however, lies in the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reading. This isn`t just about air temperature; it accounts for humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover – all factors crucial for how the human body perceives and reacts to heat.
Here’s how the NWSL’s precise protocol unfolds:
- 60 Minutes Pre-Kickoff: The fourth official takes the first WBGT reading. If it`s above 92.3 degrees Fahrenheit, the home team`s operations staff is alerted.
- 45 Minutes Pre-Kickoff: A second WBGT reading is taken. If it remains above 92.3 degrees Fahrenheit, the extreme heat delay officially commences.
- During Delay: Readings are taken every 30 minutes. The match can resume only when the WBGT falls to 91.3 degrees Fahrenheit, and with the collective approval of the fourth official, both teams’ medical personnel, and operations/technical staff.
This meticulous process underscores a significant shift: from a subjective assessment of comfort to an objective, scientifically-backed criterion for athlete well-being.
Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Real-Time Policy
The implementation of such a detailed policy in the heat of a gameday (pun intended) is, naturally, not without its quirks. The back-and-forth, the almost-starts, the shifting timelines – it creates a unique kind of tension for everyone involved. For fans, it`s a test of patience; for players and staff, a logistical headache. The irony isn`t lost: a policy designed for clarity and safety still requires real-time improvisation, illustrating the human element that remains indispensable even in the most technical of protocols.
A League Apart? Comparing Heat Protocols
While the NWSL`s recent experience was exceptional, other leagues have also grappled with the summer sun. Major League Soccer (MLS) boasts a similar heat policy, though it has seen rare application. Earlier this year, MLS proactively adjusted a kickoff time the day before a match, avoiding the gameday drama seen in Kansas City. Interestingly, even major international tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup have seen games played in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit without heat delays, opting only to pause for lightning storms. This highlights a divergence in approaches, positioning the NWSL`s recent decision as a particularly assertive step towards prioritizing player health above all else.
Voices from the Field: The Human Element
The delay naturally elicited a range of reactions from those on the front lines. Orlando Pride players, ever the optimists, used the downtime for TikTok dances, a lighthearted counterpoint to the underlying tension. Current captain Lo’eau LaBonta, however, spoke for many, addressing the CPKC Stadium crowd with a frank “Nobody, especially the players, are happy right now.”
Pride head coach Seb Hines echoed the sentiment of frustration, particularly regarding communication:
“It’s brutal: Three o’clock, sun’s beaming. We have to have the best interest for everyone who’s involved here at the stadium… A lot of confusion and lack of communication as well, of what the next steps were. It was extremely hot. It was too hot to play. We would have liked that decision to have been made earlier on, before warm-up, so they can probably prep a little bit better.”
Even after the extensive delay, the heat`s lingering impact was undeniable. Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski observed that the match itself became “a little more methodical, a little more of a chess match.” High intensity for prolonged periods was simply not feasible, underscoring that player safety isn`t just about avoiding collapse, but also about enabling optimal performance – or at least, safe performance – under challenging conditions.
The Broader Implications: Redefining Athlete Well-being
The Kansas City Current vs. Orlando Pride delay serves as a tangible example of sports leagues adapting to climate realities and prioritizing athlete well-being. It`s more than just a single game`s delay; it represents a commitment enshrined in a collective bargaining agreement, setting a precedent for professional women`s sports. As global temperatures continue to rise, the NWSL`s proactive stance with its WBGT-based policy provides a blueprint for how sports can and must evolve. It’s a subtle yet profound shift: from spectators simply enduring the elements alongside players, to leagues actively protecting their most valuable assets from them. The future of sports, it seems, will be played not just on the field, but also in the realm of environmental science and athlete advocacy.
Gareth Pendleton