MLS Cup players layer up for chilly night, but say BMO Field pitch looks good | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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MLS Cup players layer up for chilly night, but say BMO Field pitch looks good

Toronto FC goalkeeper Clint Irwin heads to the locker room after speaking to the media following a training session, in Toronto on Friday, December 9, 2016, ahead of tomorrow's MLS Cup final against the Seattle Sounders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Toronto FC 'keeper Clint Irwin donned two layers under his jersey, shorts, two sets of leggings, two pairs of socks, a tuque and surgical gloves under his goalie gloves for practice Friday.

It seemed to do the trick.

"I was pretty warm today. I was actually sweating," Irwin said cheerfully after Toronto's mid-morning training session on the eve of Saturday's MLS Cup final against Seattle. "So I might not need it (Saturday)."

The sun was out Friday at BMO Field but the temperature of -2 degrees was said to feel like -5. If you weren't moving around, it was chilly.

The forecast for the 8 p.m. ET kickoff called for -5 degrees, feeling like -12 with a 20 per cent chance of precipitation.

On Friday, the green grass glistened as workers nearby used blowers to remove a dusting of snow in the north stand.

Sub-zero temperatures aside, Toronto coach Greg Vanney was clearly warmed by the occasion.

"It's a beautiful day. There's nothing not to smile about, really," said the Arizona native.

Irwin marvelled at the pitch, which has the benefit of underground heating and a top-notch grounds crew.

"It's actually really good. I think they've done an amazing job to have it in such great condition at this time of year, in this climate, in this region of the world. You just have to take you hat off to the grounds crew, because it's been amazing throughout the playoffs."

But not if you wanted to keep your head warm.

"It was funny today. You could actually hear the ice melting on the field, which is a good sign," Irwin added.

Captain Michael Bradley also showed some love for head groundskeeper Robert Heggie and his crew, who also had to deal with the remnants of Nov. 27 Grey Cup.

"We have total respect and appreciation for the work that they've put in," said Bradley, his shaved head protected by a tuque. "Just the pure hours that these guys have spent down here in the last few weeks is amazing. They're a part of our club, they're a part of what we do."

Vanney's only concern was extreme wind, a potential game-changer that will affect choice of ends. The underground heating will take care of any snow.

"Anything aside from that, I think it's game on as usual," he said.

Dec. 10 marks the latest MLS Cup final ever. The previous latest was Dec. 7 in 2014 and 2013 at Carson, Calif., and Kansas City, respectively.

Go back to 2000 and the championship game was held Oct. 15, in Washington, D.C.

The 2013 final in Kansas City was played in frigid temperatures hovering around -7 degrees at kickoff, said to be the coldest match in league history.

Irwin, taking the glass half-full approach, noted Saturday's game could have been played in Denver — beaten by Seattle in the Western Conference final — where it was colder than Toronto.

The league used to hold the championship game at a neutral site but these days it is hosted by the team with the most regular-season points. A sellout crowd of 36,000 will be braving the cold Saturday.

Commissioner Don Garber, speaking at Toronto's last playoff game, acknowledged that the league has to consider whether it wants to continue with the existing calendar, given the playoffs are broken up by a FIFA break for international play.

"Every year we keep going through this process to try to find a way to get it right," he said. "And we have the courage to change if we think that there's a better way to go about it."

In the meantime, the major consideration this weekend is how to keep out the cold.

"There's no shame in trying to stay warm out there," said Irwin, a North Carolina native who played previously for Colorado. "I think (defender) Nick Hagglund is showing us all up because he's been in shorts pretty much the whole week. But he's a different breed."

Hagglund is an Ohio native, clearly used to the cold.

"You have to embrace it. This is part of Toronto culture, playing in these conditions ... We can't make any excuses for the weather," said Irwin.

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News from © The Canadian Press, 2016
The Canadian Press

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