- November 28, 2024
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The parking lot was a mud pit, but the playing field was perfect.
Even Hurricane Hermine couldn't dampen the debut of the new stadium at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch on Friday night.
Under the guidance of Premier Sports Director Antonio Saviano, the stadium was off to an impressive start.
A few hundred soccer fans watched the United States U-17 Women's National Team down Venezuela 5-2 in a friendly that had the feel of a World Cup match. The Lakewood Ranch Chargers' soccer program helped make the night special as its youth players carried the American, Venezuelan and FIFA flags.
Players also escorted players from both national teams on the field and stood with them during the playing of the national anthems.
Although the field was pummeled with rain produced by Hermine, it never even had a hint of being muddy.
And the fans seemed to love the new seats, concession booth, and yes, the restrooms.