After waiting two weeks for their Eastern Conference final first leg to kick off, the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC had to bide their time a little bit longer.
Kickoff at Olympic Stadium in Montreal was delayed for more than a half-hour Tuesday because the penalty areas were substantially narrower than the regulation width of 44 yards.
You had one job! #mtlvtor pic.twitter.com/TUkluvxZga
— Rudi Schuller (@RudiSchuller) November 23, 2016
Not something you see every day - match delayed because penalty box was painted too narrow. #MTLVTOR pic.twitter.com/tbY8158zob
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 23, 2016
The issue was identified by the officials shortly before kickoff, prompting a delay as the original lines were painted over and new white lines were applied with the proper dimensions.
"We're somewhat embarrassed," Impact owner Joey Saputo told ESPN. "We have to take responsibility for it. It's our fault."
More than 60,000 tickets were sold for the match, which was scheduled for the cavernous dome instead of the Impact's typical home field, 20,801-capacity Stade Saputo.