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WASHINGTON -- The opening of D.C. United's new stadium, Audi Field, had its share of missteps on Saturday, including a dislodged railing that fell on the team's sideline reporter, Lindsay Simpson, and resulted in an undisclosed injury.
A D.C. United spokesperson confirmed that, prior to the game, a piece of a railing struck Simpson, possibly on the shoulder, and medical personnel treated her at the scene. The spokesman added that Simpson wasn't hospitalized but that she was unable to continue working on the broadcast.
One railing near Section 111 could be seen being held together by duct tape, with security personnel standing in front of it.
Simpson did not respond to a text message seeking comment.
That was by no means the only issue to plague the stadium's opening and the debut of former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney. Some fans, including The Undefeated columnist Clinton Yates, encountered poor cellphone and Wi-Fi reception outside the stadium, which prevented the loading of mobile tickets.
this team opened a brand new stadium and didnt even think to print commemorative tickets for memories, nvm getting into the actual stadium. Laughably bush league
— Fungo Velo (@clintonyates) July 15, 2018
The poor Wi-Fi and cell reception extended to the press box. While some journalists were able to access the network supplied by the team, others were not.
The DCU spokesperson declined to comment further on the logistical and structural issues that occurred during the match -- in which D.C. United defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 -- and added that the organization would meet on Monday to discuss them.
Source: espn.co.uk