Kickers idled while Sting play on

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/08/2020 (1802 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the Hanover Kickers, having a resurgent season as they lead the Manitoba Major Soccer League’s First Division, they just want to get onto the field and play.

But they have not been able to do that of late as their Winnipeg opponents have refused to come to Steinbach in the last week due to a perceived outbreak of COVID in Steinbach.

Oddly enough, that same fear of the virus has not afflicted the Winnipeg teams competing in the Second Division as United Weston ventured past the perimeter into the far reaches of the province (to Steinbach that is) to take on the division-leading Hanover Sting on Tuesday. Although they lost the game, some of the United Weston players were very complimentary of the field conditions at the Steinbach Soccer Park. They seemed to enjoy playing here.

At any rate, the Kickers were scheduled to host Jedinstvo FC last Friday in Steinbach. But the league cancelled the game, to be re-scheduled, apparently due to the coronavirus.

Same thing happened again Monday night in Steinbach as Bandits FC balked at making the trip, again, you guessed it, due to the coronavirus. That game was forfeited.

If that is the case, it makes one wonder why anyone would risk playing soccer at all during these tepid times, whether it be in Steinbach, Winnipeg or Timbuktu.

Not surprisingly, Hanover Soccer Club Technical Director Norman Anderson was livid.

“The league cancelled those games with no knowledge of the situation here, there are no issues here, all of the protocols are being followed, and we are taking all the precautions.”

Meanwhile, the Kickers are scheduled to play again here in Steinbach on Monday night as they host another Winnipeg team, Forza-WSP. There may or may not be a game.