Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger and others express frustration with NWSL championship plan

Following the announcement of Portland as the location for the 2021 NWSL Championship game, players took to Twitter to express their frustration with the chosen location.

Orlando Pride goaltender Ashlyn Harris was particularly vocal, calling the 9 a.m. local start time “laughable” and “absolutely embarrassing.”

9am start is laughable. Im tired of staying quiet. We deserve better. https://t.co/mFhehvJvJp

— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) September 6, 2021

Absolutely embarrassing. @nwsl do better. https://t.co/2omsscV0qQ

— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) September 6, 2021

She also called out the idea of putting players on turf, referring to it as “another baseball field.” Rachel Corsie, Vice President of the NWSL Players Association and current Kansas City defender, likened the start time to their U12 playing days.

9am KO(local time)… least we getting all nostalgic and rolling it back to those u12 days of early starts on a Sat morning!

The best league, the best players, in the biggest game of the year 👌🏼

— Rachel Corsie (@RachelCorsie14) September 6, 2021

Orlando Pride defender Ali Krieger also called out the decision to put the game on turf, pointing out all of the different grass stadiums across the country. OL Reign midfielder Jessica Fishlock said that, with the 9 a.m. local start time, pre-match activities would start at 5 a.m.

At 9am in the morning.

5am pre match sounds soooooo good.

— Jessica Fishlock MBE (@JessFishlock) September 6, 2021

The game will be the third championship match to take place in Portland this year, following the Challenge Cup Final in May and the Women’s International Champions Cup final last month.