The National Football League’s desire to expand its fan base in England by playing matches at Wembley Stadium is causing a bit of stress for Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson.
The Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars will square off at Wembley on Sunday, six days before the venue plays host to England and Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
[ ENGLAND: Berahino, Downing, Carrick called up ]
And it turns out 300-pounders trying to push each other around in the middle of your pitch does a number on the grass (one we should point out several MLS teams handle each Fall).
From the BBC:“If I was asked if it was a good thing or not, I would have to say not. I can’t pretend it is something that makes me leap for joy.
“The pitch, unfortunately, is not in the best of nick anyway, which we’re all a bit unhappy with.”
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“It is a decision Wembley has made and I know the ground staff will work very, very hard to give us the best pitch they can give us,” said 67-year-old Hodgson, who hopes Club England managing director Adrian Bevington will report to the FA board on the matter.
The NFL has designs on putting a team in London in the future, with Wembley targeted as a possible home. And while this could lead to England moving its home matches around the country, something many fans and pundits desire anyway, it doesn’t fix Hodgson’s problems now.
Then again, USMNT players are likely saying, “Cry me a river, Roy.”