A few minutes past 6 p.m. on Monday, Finley Stadium executive director Paul Smith finally found a few free minutes to talk, or at least write, about this evening’s open practice for the U.S. Women’s World Cup champions.
“Easily the busiest we’ve been in my tenure,” Smith said in an email regarding the free workout that runs from 5 to 6:30 and Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. sold-out “friendly” against Costa Rica. “It’s a fun time for Finley. But it’s a lot of activity – controlled chaos.”
The chaos began 11 days ago, when 18,227 showed up for the Chattanooga Football Club’s heartbreaking 3-2 extra-time loss to the New York Cosmos in the National Premier Soccer League national championship game. It was the sixth largest crowd in the stadium’s 18-year history and set off a work schedule for Finley’s staff that is becoming its own Ironman competition.
The grind continued with last weekend’s high school football jamboree contests. Now come this evening’s U.S women’s soccer team’s free practice that’s open to the general public and Wednesday night’s friendly.
“There are just a tremendous amount of details that have to be attended to,” Smith said of the world champs’ visit. “But it’s been great and it makes us that much more ready for the return of the Southern Conference champion Chattanooga Mocs.”