Skill players use a small equipment change to make big difference in the rain

CHARLOTTE — Dave Canales best described it as "trying to trap a greased pig."

And frankly, that was putting it mildly.

Deluge isn't a strong enough word for the slow-moving rain cell that settled over Charlotte for most of the morning and into the afternoon. There was no lightning or threat of storm, so practice continued as usual, but the ball was slick and players had to make some concessions to avoid the "greased pig" effect.

Namely, heading out without gloves.

"If I have no gloves on, you know it's a rough day," joked receiver Adam Thielen , a perpetual glove-wearer.

"You're not supposed to wear gloves in the rain," explained receiver Tetairoa McMillan . "All the grip goes away. You got more grip on your fingers."

Regular gloves are sticky in normal weather, making them a nec