Note to MLS: fix the fields
I was disgusted with the field condition at the Home Depot Center while watching Chivas USA play against San Jose. The field had to be at least four different hues of green in various patches across the field, with some brown spots thrown in for good measure. Really, how hard is it to keep some grass in good condition in Southern California? It’s not like they have to deal with incessant rain, nor do they have to deal with other sports tearing up the field.
Of course, there are other offenders throughout MLS. Most of those share their field with other sports, but it still doesn’t excuse the ugly playing surfaces.
A great example would be Real Salt Lake. While watching them play at home fans can marvel at the ugly yellow lines that signify the boundaries and playing areas. There are also all of the markings for the University of Utah football team to boot. Is it really necessary for the college football lines and numbers to be placed on the field when the season doesn’t start for another two months? The New York Red Bulls and Houston Dynamo have the same problem with their fields, too.
Another problem is the artificial turf. Teams currently playing on that type of surface are Real Salt Lake, the New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, and Seattle Sounders FC will also have to deal with it when they begin playing in 2009. This playing surface just doesn’t lend itself to playing soccer. The ball runs way too quick on it, plus players constantly complain about how much it takes out of them.
If MLS wants to be taken more seriously in the US and around the world then they’re going to have to improve the field conditions, as the beauty of the pitch is one of the most important parts of the game. They need to communicate with whoever they’re sharing the field with that they need to hold off on all of the markings until completely necessary. The best way to solve this problem is for all of the teams to have their own soccer specific stadiums.
Tags: field, Major League Soccer, MLS, pitch
July 7th, 2008 at 11:57 am
This just in - Real Salt Lake will be moving to a brand new stadium in 3 months. NYRB are in the process of building a new stadium. Seattle will have a new stadium eventually.
I think MLS got your note…a couple of years ago. Thanks for noticing.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
The Houston Dynamo have been looking to get a stadium of their own since their inception, but a multitude of issues have come up. They’re in the process of working it out and have been working at it for quite some time.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Hate to break this to you realslfan, but your team still looks like a joke while playing on that field. Doesn’t seem like they’ve gotten the memo on that one.
As for NYRB, I’ll believe it when I see it. If I remember correctly it has been delayed for quite some time, something to do with the ground being contaminated or something like that.
Also, the whole point of the post was that teams need to take care of the field. Just because they have a soccer specific stadium doesn’t mean the pitch will be in top notch condition (again, it’s why I mentioned the Chivas USA vs. San Jose game), which is the main point of the post.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Realsfan, Seattle is as likely to get a new SSS as Columbus is. They are staying in Qwest by design for the long term. That is one reason why Seattle MLS sucks.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I agree the field at the HDC could be treated better. As far as your comments about teams sharing stadiums with other sports, who do you think controls the grounds crews for those fields? Do you think RSL has any say in the matter? Do you think they’ve not tried? They’re leaving the stadium soon, so it doesn’t matter to them anymore.
As far as Red Bull Park goes, believe it. It’s already starting to take shape. I suggest you Google it or go to redbullpark.com, you’re a little behind.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
sadly BMO stadium (Torontos stadium) is partially owned by the city of Toronto who rents out hte stadium to community groups. As a result they feel the upkeep would be too expensive to put in real grass… This may chance however as of right now, its highly doubtful, especially as the city of Toronto us a bureaucratic mess.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Hey Alan,
Actually it is necessary for the pointy-ball lines to be on “RSL’s” field. Why? Because the pointy-ball lines are permanent at Rice Eccles. Why are the lines there in the spring? Because of spring training.
It’s a pointy-ball field first, a makeshift soccer field second.
-BP
July 8th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
“That is one reason why Seattle MLS sucks.”
Are you jealous, stupid, or both?
With over 14,000 season ticket holders 9 months before their first match and a $500M stadium that was designed with soccer in mind …I think we good.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
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