Cold Weather Memories

By NE Soccer Today Editorial Staff
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Updated: March 11, 2017

You’ve probably heard by now that Saturday’s Revs-Orlando City match – a match that was to serve as New England’s home opener – was postponed due to forecast extreme conditions (re: temps in the low 20s, and a potential wind chill factor of -10).

While the conditions predicted for Saturday was enough to push the New England-Orlando City showdown into September, a few locals voices shared their own frigid football memories.

Rick Sewall (former Boston Minuteman defender, NESoccerToday.com analyst): Back in the late-60’s or early-70’s, somewhere in Connecticut, semi-pro soccer, I played in a below-freezing game with about 2-3 inches of snow on the ground. I thought it would be smart to wear sweat pants to stay warm, but for some reason they became wet and quite heavy. I struggled for the last 20 minutes or so. I believe we lost.

Alex Bettencourt (General Manager of FA1’s & BSSL’s Taunton Eagles): Many come to my mind as a kid, high school and college.. even after. However, to put into context. Taunton Eagles Men’s team D1 BSSL this year and formerly of LUSA and LASA. Training (today) on our dirt field. Snow, no snow, doesn’t matter … we want to play. We will work out outside and get a good sweat. After, back to the club to wash up in locker room and drink some beers and eat lunch at the club.

Brian O’Connell (Co-founder, NESoccerToday.com): The coldest game I’ve ever played in wasn’t teeth-chatteringly chilly – probably in the low-30s – but the toughest conditions I’ve encountered as a soccer journalist was the 2012 Massachusetts Open Cup State Final, which was played during the first week of December. Temperatures were in the 20s, and the game went to PKs. About half way through the game, my hands were so numb I had trouble jotting down my notes on my pad. Despite the weather, it was a fantastic match played by two very strong teams (East Providence Sports and Mass Premier Soccer). Plus, it served as a great opportunity to catch up with Rick Sewall and Non-League America founder Steve Bayley (who hosted the first-ever Deep in the Pyramid tailgate party prior to the game).