West Ham United's eagerly anticipated Stateside Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers was thrown into chaos on Saturday when a summer storm hit Jacksonville, Florida.
The downpour, which arrived at approximately 4:30pm local time, brought with it thunder, lightning, and a deluge of heavy rain. The pitch was quickly rendered unplayable, forcing officials to postpone the match.
Following a 30-minute delay, the rain subsided and both sides began their warm-ups. However, the respite proved short-lived as the inclement weather returned with renewed vigour. A 'Code Blue' safety warning was issued, forcing everyone to evacuate the pitch and stands as thunder and lightning continued to threaten.
After a further 60-minute delay, the weather finally improved sufficiently to allow for a 9:05pm kick-off, over two hours later than originally scheduled.
Despite the dramatic delays, football fans around the world can still enjoy the match live on West Ham TV. The game is available to stream via whufc.com and the club's official mobile app. Passes for both matches can be purchased [HERE].
Individual match passes cost £4.99, while a two-match pass, which includes next Saturday's clash against Crystal Palace in Tampa, is available for just £7.99.
Our photographers captured the unique and historic events of the day in Jacksonville, and their exclusive gallery is now available to view!
The delay may have disrupted the initial schedule, but it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the fans who braved the weather to witness this historic clash on American soil. The match provided a unique glimpse into the global reach of the beautiful game and the passion that fans around the world share for it.