Ever since before BMO Field opened a group of people -- crotchety soccer journalists, mostly -- have been complaining about the playing surface there, a modern form of artificial turf designed to look (almost) and play (kind of) like grass.
True football, these guys said, was meant to take place on lush patches of thick natural grass. Guys like that almost never call it "soccer."
But sometimes even the most ardent field turf hater has to concede that natural isn't always better.
This week, as TFC and three other MLS teams compete in the Texas Pro Soccer Festival, is one of those times.
In less than three hours TFC and DC United will meet at Steele High School in Cibolo, Texas, and kick off on a natural grass field, one that features lumps and loose clumps of dirt. And one that's only 62 yards wide.
TFC coach John Carver said on a field that small, every throw-in in the opposing team's zone is like a corner kick because they land in the 6-yard box.
But the field presents problems, too.
Chivas USA and DC United told us everything we need to know about the field conditions when they each gathered their starters and met at a nearby university for a scrimmage, then sent their subs and scrubs to play in the tournament game on the bumpy field.
Carver didn't complain about it, and said his players didn't either.
"They're not ideal conditions, but you've got to get on with it," he said.
Are you listening, field-turf bashers? You just get on with it.
The City of Toronto sank nearly $10 million into that stadium, and they make that money back by renting the field out to civilians year round. Which means real grass isn't coming any time soon.
Yeah, it's a drag, and maybe the field turf's not perfect, but TFC's players have seen much, much worse.
And they'll see it again tonight against D.C.'s B-team.
The Jury is Still Out
Carver also said he wants to give the team's three trialists (Kiki Musampa, Tony Vairelles and Martin Brittain) more playing time tonight. All three of them scored in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Houston.
By the time this tournament ends Sunday night Carver says he'll have figured out which, if any, of the three will travel with the team to their final preseason tournament in Charleson, S.C.
-- Morgan Campbell
Anyone who complains about the pitch should've watched the Wigan-Arsenal game on Sunday. The pitch was destroyed few days before by a rugby match and it was almost unplayable. It would be nice to have a real pitch, but with Toronto's climate maybe they should wait 10-20 years until global warming does it's part.
Huh, Kiki Musampa, there is a blast from the past. I remember him coming of the bench for that great Ajax team (De Boer brothers, Overmars and co). He's still a decent player, still has decent speed coming down the wing, but not exactly the creative force TFC sorely needs.
Posted by: voislav | March 10, 2008 at 11:17 AM
The fact that TFC played this Texas tournament on a less than stellar pitch doesn't by any means justify the turf at BMO. Is being better than a high school field in Texas really what we're aspiring to here?
If you look at other MLS (Grass) pitches, they are immaculate. Columbus, Chicago, LA, all have great looking fields and there is no reason (other than the City of Toronto) why TFC should be any differnt.
As for the EPL comments, well, it's a summer sport here and a fall/winter sport over there. They play throughout the rainy and potentially snowy winter which can tear the field apart.
TFC only had one (two if you coun't the second game against NYRB) where we had rain. A real grass surface at BMO would have been pristine all season.
The turf has already had a factor on one of our top players being traded (Ronnie O'Brien) and there are rumours that other players have turned down opportunities to join the club because of the artificial surface.
I do agree with one point that Campbell has made here though, we need to get on with it. As long as the city owns BMO, it will be rented out to various clubs, teams and social groups. There is no way they could maintain a grass pitch with that kind of activity. so the turf is here to stay...Sadly
Posted by: Clerence Beeks | March 10, 2008 at 01:57 PM
If the City was smart they'd try to sell BMO to MLSE in the near future, but they'd probably think with dollar signs in their eyes, if the maintainence of the ice at the ACC is any indication. Playing conditions are not at the forefront of MLSE. I understand why the city thinks this way, but MLSE doesn't have to.
Posted by: Matt | March 10, 2008 at 07:25 PM
That FieldTurf sucks and injures players like your boy Ronnie O'Brien - stop looking for excuse$ and rip it out! Kissing up to Corporate isn't attractive either, schween.
Posted by: Alex | March 10, 2008 at 11:12 PM
hey Voislav, thanks for mentioning the Wigan-Arsenal game, didn't you notice how it was almost as bad as watching any MLS game ? Quality of pitch will always effect the quality of play.
And so what the city WASTED $8 million ? not to mention the the province and the feds ? Why did we give that money to a multi-million profit machine like MLSE in the first place? There isn't even a timetable for the loan to be paid back. Don't give me the crap about renting out the field to make money. Pfffft.
Posted by: derek | March 11, 2008 at 11:12 PM