American summers often bring scorching afternoons, but Saturday in Kansas City saw unusually severe conditions, prompting a rare move: the postponement of the NWSL match between the Kansas City Current and the Orlando Pride because of extreme heat.
This highly anticipated clash between two leading teams was initially set for a 3 p.m. local start but didn`t kick off until 6:28 p.m., a delay of almost three and a half hours before play commenced. This prolonged postponement highlighted the application of a rule rarely invoked by professional leagues and revealed the inherent complexities of such a policy. While the NWSL`s decisions on Saturday were primarily driven by player safety, the league stated that such calls could only be made on game day, leading to a fragmented afternoon as officials repeatedly neared starting the game before extending the delay again.
In an official statement, the NWSL declared: “The league`s objective is to proceed with matches as planned whenever it`s safe to do so. While weather forecasts aid our preparations, our ultimate decisions are based on real-time, on-site weather data, aligning with our adverse weather policies and protocols. It was these real-time observations that led to the decision to delay Saturday`s match.”
Below, we examine the NWSL`s extreme heat delay protocols, alongside their precedents and effects within other soccer leagues.
Understanding the NWSL`s Extreme Heat Protocol
The NWSL`s specific regulations are activated when the ambient air temperature surpasses 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the National Weather Service has issued either an extreme heat warning, watch, or advisory for the match location.
Under such conditions, the fourth official`s role involves taking Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) readings more frequently than typical. For days where hydration breaks might be necessary, the fourth official takes WBGT readings twice: once immediately after pre-match warm-ups and again directly after the first-half whistle. A WBGT reading of 82 degrees Fahrenheit or higher triggers these water breaks.
However, when assessing conditions for an extreme heat delay, the first WBGT reading is taken by the fourth official 60 minutes before the scheduled kickoff. Should this reading exceed 92.3 degrees Fahrenheit, the home team`s operations staff must notify the league. A second WBGT reading is performed 45 minutes before kickoff; if it remains at or above 92.3 degrees Fahrenheit, the extreme heat delay is officially enacted. The fourth official then continues to monitor WBGT readings every 30 minutes, as per the NWSL`s 2025 competition rules. Once the WBGT reading drops to 91.3 degrees Fahrenheit, the decision to commence the match rests with the fourth official, both teams` medical staff, and their respective operations and technical personnel.
While outright postponements are an option during extreme heat delays, this was not necessary in Kansas City on Saturday. This extreme heat policy is a key component of the league`s new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified last year with the NWSL Players Association.
Impact of Extreme Heat on Other Soccer Competitions
Major League Soccer (MLS) has maintained a very similar extreme heat policy for several years, yet, much like the NWSL, it has seldom needed to enforce these regulations. However, earlier this year, MLS did adjust the kickoff time for Austin FC`s match against Atlanta United, moving it from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time due to unprecedented heat. Notably, MLS made this decision the day prior to the match, contrasting with the NWSL`s game-day call on Saturday.
Conversely, many other soccer matches have proceeded on extremely hot days, often playing as originally scheduled. For instance, several games at this summer`s FIFA Club World Cup began with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and none were delayed due to heat, although some faced postponements due to nearby lightning.
Team Reactions to the Delay
The extreme heat delay on Saturday elicited diverse reactions from both players and coaches. This included TikTok dances from the patient Pride players, while Current captain Lo`eau LaBonta addressed the CPKC Stadium crowd, stating, “Nobody, especially the players, are happy right now.” Pride head coach Seb Hines attributed additional confusion for the teams to inadequate communication.
After the 0-0 draw, Hines commented: “It`s brutal: three o`clock, sun`s beaming. We must prioritize the well-being of everyone involved here at the stadium. There was significant confusion and a lack of communication regarding the subsequent steps. It was excessively hot—too hot to play. We would have preferred the decision to be made earlier, before warm-ups, allowing for better preparation.”
Even more than three hours past the original kickoff time, Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski noted that the heat remained a considerable influence on the match.
He described the game: “The match was somewhat more methodical, akin to a chess match. It was undeniably hot! Players simply couldn`t sustain a high intensity for extended periods. Given these conditions, the game`s flow didn`t surprise me in the slightest.”
