"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

The only reason to insist on praying in the football stadium in front of everybody is to be seen praying in the football stadium in front of everybody. If it was really about chatting to their god, it wouldn't matter a bit if they had to do it privately or discreetly. It's such a shame that adults are encouraging these nice Christian kids to disobey the direct instructions of their Saviour.

The Book of Matthew cannot be properly understood by anyone but a Christian. What Jesus (reportedly) said only applies to certain situations, you see. He said nothing about football games, which are a sacred Christian sacrament of violence and mayhem.

You do not properly discern the true meaning of the words (reportedly) spoken by Jesus, because you do not have the Holy Spirit indwelling your soul. Besides, as Paul wrote, "I do not suffer a woman to teach."

in such a way as to conclude that it means the opposite of what it actually says.

...metaphor/metaphorical.

would set you straight, I understand. It apparently allows any sort of changes in the words to meet whatever needs you have.

offend, and from the proverb provided, God too. Hypocrites.

Religion is a dandy way to manipulate people, and kids are especially susceptible. They've been told all their lives, by adults they trust, that all this stuff is true, and that God wants them to do this thing and that thing, and that it will go very badly for them if they don't do what God wants. After all that, how hard would it be to convince them that God wants them to pray ostentatiously in the football stadium in front of everybody?

Take care...