New York City move MLS playoff venue, Neville unhappy. The Major League Soccer playoff match between New York City FC and Inter Miami has been shifted to the baseball stadium at Citi Field, eliminating the uncertainty that had been criticized by Miami coach Phil Neville.
On Monday, the defending MLS champions City will play host to David Beckham-owned Miami.
The game was initially scheduled to be played at Harrison, New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena because Yankees Stadium, New York City’s usual baseball venue, was already booked for another event.
However, a number of media outlets reported on Tuesday that the MLS team intended to move the game to Citi Field after the New York Mets were ousted from the MLB playoffs.
The change was officially announced by the club on Wednesday.
“The Club will always do everything in its power to play its matches within the five boroughs and is grateful to our partners at the Mets for helping make this venue change a possibility,” NYCFC said.
Neville had hit out at the confusion earlier on Wednesday during a team press conference saying his club had not been able to make plans for their accomodation.
New York City move MLS playoff venue, Neville unhappy. “This is not a pre-season scrimmage, this is a playoff game,” the coach told a press conference on Wednesday.
“In four years time, we have got a World Cup coming to this great country and I think things like this need to be looked at because this is organisation,” he said.
The former Manchester United player said he understood that NYCFC, owned by Manchester City’s owners the City Football Group, wanted to choose the best venue for their fans but said he was perplexed by the lack of clarity so close to the game.
“I can’t really comprehend the delay…somewhere along the line someone in a leadership position at the league has to lead on this,” he said.
“The venue doesn’t bother us one bit even though I don’t think it is a great look for the league playing on a baseball venue,” he added.
Neville said his main concern had been the inability for the team and fans to make travel plans.
“Where we are actually playing doesn’t bother me, we’d play on the top of the Empire State Building for a playoff game but….it is just the logistics,” he said.
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