I didn't realize the field dimensions had been changed. Can they legally do that (well I guess flornatref would know since he IS the ref)?
That doesn't sound quite fair, but I guess if the league allows it and the refs so ok, then I guess everyone can do it.
Also I am starting to get the impression that some here think that the Kraze are being given an unfair advantage. Yes they are hosting, but what would be the difference if Boulder was hosting and the Kraze had to go to Boulder? None. This is PDL and its not likely that there will be a neutral spot for a PDL nat'l championship any time soon. Bottom line: someone has to host and the Kraze it this year.

And here is the USL's official list of PK for the end of the match:
PK Summary
Rd 1: CAR - Riley - Goal; CF - Steed - Saved (CAR 1 :: 0 CF)
Rd 2: CAR - Caugherty - Saved; CF - Vasquez - Saved (CAR 1 :: 0 CF)
Rd 3: CAR - Merritt - Saved; CF - Barber - Goal (CAR 1 :: 1 CF)
Rd 4: CAR - Storey - Missed; CF - Delgado - Saved (CAR 1 :: 1 CF)
Rd 5: CAR - Lowery - Saved:; CF - Robertson - Goal (CAR 1 :: 2 CF)

I believe that is what happened.
BTW flornatref which one are you?
Referees: Sean Hurd, Merritt Guthrie, Shane Moody, Afshin Shokoohi

OrlandoSoccer, I don't know if the USL WANTS Orlando to win but you said it yourself that they prob want it to be in Orlando so it will be cheaper for them to go. I don't think they have a 'thing' for the Kraze just because it is the Kraze. I cannot imagine, though, that the facilities in Boulder are worse than in Orlando.

I beleive they did not make the field narrower to HURT Carolina, I believe they made it narrow to match the one they are comfortable playing on. That is one of the things about soccer, the field has 'rules' as to length and width but no clear cut dimensions. Happens every day, a team that plays a narrow field gets to play on a wide one and they are not used to it, hurts their style of play. I think it hurts MORE when a team used to playing on a wide field has to lose that 10 yards.

I think the USL should have stricter standards for choosing the locations, such as seating, field conditions and field size, and perhaps lighting if it is going to be a night game.

I don't think the USL cares about the attendance either, I think they get 1/2 of the gate on the post season but that is pocket change. I would imagine they would get more people to attend at Boulder BUT the gain in revenue would be offset by the cost of THEIR travel to the final.

So sorry to imply that the Kraze was getting an unfair advantage because the USL wants THEM to win, they are just doing what is best for the USL and the Kraze just happen to be getting the best end of the deal. That is all there is to it.

OrlandoSoccer,

I am Shane Moody. As far as stricter guidlines for length of field, as long as it meets Federation minimum standards, I do not think USL would say anything, and trust me, the minimum is much less than 70 yards. Actually 70 is quite good for a lot of what USL teams play on. If you want to talk about home field advantage, think of the advantage Boulder would have if they played there. The altitude in Colorado is extremely high and takes several days to acclimate a body. Why do you think Fresno had such a poor outing. Have you ever seen how the ball moves quicker when MLS shows a game from Mile High Stadium? Anyways, I think it only fair that the regular season plays a role in who hosts semifinals and finals. The Kraze obviously had a better regular season than Boulder, thus earning a higher seed. They have earned the right to host if they can handle the proceedings. From a referee standpoint, the organization for the matches that the Kraze hosted both at Showalter and UCF (I was on crews at both) was very thorough and professional.

The Kraze normally play at Showalter Field. The field is beautiful ne year, ands the stands are sufficient.

The Kraze normally play at Showalter Field. The field is beautiful nearly all year (football tears them up, as can be noticed by the sand holes up parts the middle of the field, particularly about 20 yards out where extra points are kicked) and the stands are sufficient. The local high school football coach told the Kraze that they couldn't use the fields anymore to give the field 6 weeks of rest before football season. Knowing that winning on the road is difficult, the Kraze searched for another field and were reprieved by the UCF head coach (as was mentioned mny Kraze players have ties to UCF). The stands there aren't great, but the field is nice.

In regards to shortening the width.. the Kraze are undefeated at home, and it doesn't take an idiot to figure out why theyd make the dimensions of the field the same as their home field at Showalter. It isn't like they conspired against a speedy Carolina team to make the field narrower, that is just the size they have been used to playing on.

Yes, what he said.