Cardinals Bringing Attitude to Altitude in Mexico City

The Arizona Cardinals solely have a couple of days left to arrange for the altitude that awaits them at Estadio Azteca. 

The legendary stadium in Mexico Metropolis has performed host to pivotal soccer matches for groups equivalent to Membership America and the Mexican Nationwide Crew amongst others. 

But a unique sort of soccer will likely be performed on the hallowed pitch, as Mexico will play host to the Cardinals-49ers on Monday Night time Soccer within the final of the league’s sequence of worldwide video games this season. 

It is acquainted floor for the Cardinals, who hosted the league’s first ever common season sport outdoors of the US in 2005. 

The 49ers have been additionally opponents the final time Arizona performed in Mexico as properly. 

The altitude at Estadio Azteca will likely be one thing each groups aren’t fairly used to – the elevation of roughly 7,218 toes. Compared, that is 1,938 toes greater than the elevation at Mile Excessive in Denver. 

The 49ers have already departed for Colorado Springs to arrange for the shift in altitude. They’re going to go away on Sunday prematurely of their assembly with Arizona on Monday night time.

As for the Cardinals, no modifications have been made to the schedule. 

“We’ll simply get there a day earlier. That’s it. We arrange the week the very same. We’ll go away Saturday after our walkthrough, then Sunday we’ll go to the stadium (to have) a fast walkthrough there after which that’ll be it. Not numerous change, simply the additional day in between,” Kliff Kingsbury advised reporters on Wednesday. 

“Finally, our sports activities drugs workers and sports activities science group felt like we might get a great plan right here, maintain the blokes right here and sort of maximize what we wished to do. That’s what we settled on.”

Kingsbury will likely be there entrance and heart when the lights are brightest in primetime. The identical might not have the ability to be mentioned of Kyler Murray, who sat out final week’s win vs. Los Angeles with a hamstring harm. 

His standing will not be identified till later within the week. Regardless, he is prepared for an environment not like every other he is performed in:

“I’ve heard a number of issues. At the moment they have been telling us it’s simply making numerous noise all sport. It’s probably not like on third down individuals get loud. It’s sort of like that every one sport. That’s what I heard. I’m undecided. He [Cardinals strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris] requested who’s performed on this sport and I feel possibly two or three dudes raised their hand, so we bought numerous guys which might be sort of go into an unknown state of affairs, however I’m wanting ahead to it. It’ll be enjoyable,” Murray mentioned. 

Lots is driving on this worldwide sport. A win for Arizona would inject a brand new image of life because the second half of the season goes into full swing. A loss would bury the dagger deeper into their hopes of the postseason. 

As soon as the sport begins, we’ll ultimately work out how the Cardinals can go about their enterprise the remainder of the way in which. 

For now, nonetheless, Arizona revels of their distinctive alternative.

“I feel it is superior. I’ve heard it is going to be an unimaginable environment. I am certain numerous our gamers have by no means been to Mexico Metropolis or skilled something like this,” Kingsbury mentioned. 

“To play in that stadium— only a legendary soccer stadium and so many cool occasions which were there and video games it will be superior. I feel as a crew simply to be round one another and get an expertise that’ll be a novel expertise for all of us.”

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