World Cup: U.S. can’t train on field

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FIFA has told the U.S. Soccer Federation that the American team can’t train at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday, ahead of the team’s crucial game against Algeria the following day.

‘They’re protecting the pitch,’ team spokesman Michael Kammarman said Sunday.

Day-before practices on the game pitch are considered important in soccer because it gives players a chance to become accustomed to the field. The U.S played in the stadium twice in last summer’s Confederations Cup, losing both times.

The United States will advance to the second round with a win; Algeria also has a chance to move on if it wins.

Poor field conditions have been an issue at the World Cup. In Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Chile and Switzerland were denied permission to test the rain-damaged field at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ahead of Monday’s Group H game. FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said the decision was ‘a preventive measure to protect the pitch’ before the match.

The field was damaged after heavy rain waterlogged the surface last week. Heat lamps were used to help dry a shaded section of the pitch.

Germany and Serbia also were denied practice time in the same stadium before their match last Friday.

-- Kevin Baxter, in Johannesburg, South Africa