WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Spotlight : EUROPEAN PRIME TIME, BAD TIME TO PLAY IN U.S.

The temperature inside the Silverdome, which does not have air conditioning, was 80 degrees, with 71% humidity.

Instead of playing games in the evenings, which would allow for cooler temperatures, many are starting at midday to coincide with European television prime time.

“It was very hard to breathe,” U.S. midfielder Ramos said, “especially when you made a run.”

Defender Cle Kooiman said: “It was tough. I was sucking air. I just couldn’t get any air in.”