The FIFA officials in the Charlotte press room were politely enough, although after almost two hours of us hope they would suddenly change to meteorologists, you could see that they were somewhat sick to be bad for an update about Chelsea's Suspended Club World Cup collision with Benfica.
But then we were not the only ones who wondered what the hell happened. Even Cole Palmer left Chelsea's dressing room to ask an official: “What's going on?”
Answers were scarce because the players were on rotating bicycles to stay inside, while the sun was shining outside.
All we knew was a single lightning strike, even 9.9 miles away from the Bank of America Stadium, would reset the 30 -minute clock. And it continued to reset, to the great frustration of Enzo Maresca, because this was the sixth game here in the United States to be suspended because of the weather.
It was a potential look in next summer's world cup. FIFA cannot control the clouds above, but they can choose where their tournaments are held, and this competition involving Chelsea and Manchester City, shows us that this time we are prepared for further delays next year.
Maresca's point was valid. Those Chelsea supporters in England finally started to see their team playing on June 28, and it was June 29 by the time it ended.
There were four hours and 38 minutes between referee Slavko Vincic who signaled the start and the end. Wimbledon Finals are played in shorter time frames, even the five Setters.
So no, this was not football, as Chelsea's manager told us after this bizarre match in Charlotte and he was right to introduce the United States with his unpredictable summer climate is not too football -friendly.