U.S. Soccer Federation: Mexico friendly 'will be played as planned'

Mexico national team coach Miguel Herrera shouts instruction during a practice at Trinity University on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Mexico national team coach Miguel Herrera shouts instruction during a practice at Trinity University on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close U.S. Soccer Federation: Mexico friendly 'will be played as planned' 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Despite reports that the Mexican Soccer Federation is threatening to cancel Wednesday's sold-out friendly at the Alamodome in San Antonio because of poor field conditions, an official with the U.S. Soccer Federation said Tuesday that the match "will be played as planned."

The Mexican National Team canceled its Tuesday morning traning at the Alamodome, citing poor field conditions that could be dangerous to play on. The practice was moved a few miles away to Trinity University. Following the move, a report from Mexican outlet Medio Tiempo spurred rumors that the Mexicans are threatening to cancel the match.

A representative for the U.S. Soccer Federation said that the Americans would hold practice at the Alamodome as planned at 5 p.m. and that the game is not in jeopardy of being canceled.

"The field will be in playable condition in time for tomorrow's match," Neil Buethe, a spokesman for the U.S. team, said. "Improvements have been made in the past 24 hours and the grounds crew will continue to provide maintenance in the lead up to tomorrow's match."

The report from Medio Tiempo said that Mexican Soccer Federation General Manager Hector Gonzalez would re-assess field conditions after grounds crews updated the playing surface.

The temporary grass, brought in from a sod farm in Paige, Texas, about 120 miles east of San Antonio, is laid over concrete at the 60,000-seat stadium in downtown.

When asked whether the threat from the Mexican Federation was an attempt to distract its opponents from the match, Beuthe said "no."

kparker@mysa.com

Twitter: @KoltenParker