Today’s News, Thursday , Aug.06

[denime]

Mornin'



Real Madrid gets the grass that Toronto FC can only hope for
A `10-day solution' now, but pitch for permanent conversion at BMO Field expected in the fall
Daniel Girard
It's the field of TFC's dreams.
The much-maligned artificial turf of BMO Field gave way to the real thing yesterday as a crew of 18 finished laying the grass ahead of the arrival of European soccer giant Real Madrid for an international friendly against Toronto FC.
"This is a 10-day solution," Bob Hunter, executive vice-president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said of the lifespan of the four-inch thick sod being put down.

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For Madrid, the grass is real
By RYAN JOHNSTON
Player embedded into articles on Sportsnet
It smelled like grass and everyone was in a good mood as BMO Field received its much-anticipated makeover on the eve of Real Madrid's arrival in Toronto.
Ahead of the summer's biggest soccer event, dozens of workers watered, rolled and air-dried huge slabs of sod placed on top of the much-maligned FieldTurf. It has to be perfect, for any flaw in the surface might mean the paying public will not see one or more of their favourite soccer stars.

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One strike against new field
City Hall backlog stands in way of a quick decision
By LANCE HORNBY
Real grass for Toronto FC in time for the 2010 Major League Soccer season could become a casualty of the civic workers' strike.
Team officials are unsure if approval for conversion from FieldTurf to the true green stuff will make it on to the agenda for an early October council meeting, when Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., had hoped to have a joint proposal ready.

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Pitch being prepared for Real Madrid match
Grass installation began on Tuesday afternoon at BMO Field
TorontoFC.ca
BMO Field will have a new look for Toronto FC's international friendly against Spanish giants Real Madrid on Friday night with a grass pitch installed over the existing turf. The process to transform the pitch started on Tuesday morning and will be completed late Wednesday.

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FIFA rewards Canada's Gold Cup
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ZURICH -- Canada has moved up 26 spots in FIFA's rankings following their run at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Canada sits 66th on the national team list released Wednesday after winning twice and drawing once at the Gold Cup before dropping to Honduras in the quarter-finals.

Canada's highest previous ranking was 40th in 1996.

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SUNSHINE

[Wagner]

A couple of points...

1) SSG = WTF???

2) if MLSE and Mayor Miller want the topic of grass to be on the agenda this fall they can make it happen. Also, we can help put pressure on them.
If you live in Toronto, (or even if you don't) email them, and simply say you want to see the issue of grass on the agenda ASAP. http://app.toronto.ca/wards/jsp/wards.jsp

[Hooligan69]

They were just yapping about the Real Madrid friendly on CP24. Gave me a headache. The same people who most likely couldn't give a damn about TFC. Glory hunters and celebrity watchers. Toronto is filled with people like that.

[DOMIN8R]

2) if MLSE and Mayor Miller want the topic of grass to be on the agenda this fall they can make it happen. Also, we can help put pressure on them.
If you live in Toronto, (or even if you don't) email them, and simply say you want to see the issue of grass on the agenda ASAP. http://app.toronto.ca/wards/jsp/wards.jsp

Once again, I think that we need to organize and implement a campaign to encourage City Councillors to address this issue as soon as possble. It wouldn't take much effort.

I can help move this forward. I look to the RPB Exec. for guidance on whether to discuss this further.

[Yohan]

SSG = Baraka?



She kinda reminds me of fuglier version of Rachel McAdams. with really bad teeth.
I should kill her. She just ruined Rachel McAdams for me

[daner90]

So if the grass is a 10-day solution, will we see it still laid down at BMO for our game against DC United on the 15th?

[Yohan]

So if the grass is a 10-day solution, will we see it still laid down at BMO for our game against DC United on the 15th?

probably not

public use during next week will probably render the pitch unusable

[JonO]

probably not

public use during next week will probably render the pitch unusable

I believe they're pulling it up after the lacrosse game on Saturday- so those lucky bastards get it, but nobody else. It would probably be quite the horror show by the end of those 10 days anyway.... regardless of community use

[denime]

A couple of points...

1) SSG = WTF???

2) if MLSE and Mayor Miller want the topic of grass to be on the agenda this fall they can make it happen. Also, we can help put pressure on them.
If you live in Toronto, (or even if you don't) email them, and simply say you want to see the issue of grass on the agenda ASAP. http://app.toronto.ca/wards/jsp/wards.jsp

It would be nice if some of you guys who knows what to be said,write here some example and we can copy/paste and send.
If I start writing to my councilor it might not be the letter they will read since my letter would contain way to many *?@$*&#^ words.

[Suds]

A tie to the MLS in this news.

Yank eyes Hammers

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-West-Ham.html


I can see my buddy crying in his Corn Flakes right now.

And that pic of Clark Hunt just makes me want to punch him out for some reason, Ugghhh!!

[Yeoman]

i swear i'm making a banner asking where's our own grass and putting that flag right behind one of the nets
i'm sure that'll get taken down as soon as i put it up

[Wagner]

we need some 2-stix.

"KaKa gets grass.
Dichio doesn't?"

[prizby]

in the star it says

"Hunter, who put the price tag at about $3.5 million, including a heating system for spring and fall as well as drainage and aeration, said MLSE, which owns TFC, agrees and is ready to pay the cost."

now apparently TFC is making 3M off this game, anyone still complaining about this friendly?

[redcard]

well the good news is that they have the forsight to have heating installed below the grass...this bodes well for us when we host the MLS Cup final, and possible future CCL matches...

in some way i guess not qualifying for the group stage allows MLSE to install the grass during the fall...if we were in the CCL i dont think it would have been possible to install grass during this fall.

[Steve]

A couple of points...

1) SSG = WTF???

2) if MLSE and Mayor Miller want the topic of grass to be on the agenda this fall they can make it happen. Also, we can help put pressure on them.
If you live in Toronto, (or even if you don't) email them, and simply say you want to see the issue of grass on the agenda ASAP. http://app.toronto.ca/wards/jsp/wards.jsp

Good idea. I just emailed the councillor of my ward. Here's what I said if anyone wants to know:

Good morning Mrs. McConnell,

As a resident of ward 28, Toronto, I am writing to you in order to express my interest over the BMO field surface. I know it is an issue that is supposed to be brought up in the fall session of council, and though I understand the civic worker's strike has taken up a lot of the council's time, it would be a mistake to put this issue off for too long.

Essentially, though I understand the initial reasons behind mandating public use for this facility, I don't think you can expect a playing surface to sustain extensive public use, and still remain suitable for a professional game. Because of the public use over the past 2 years, the surface of the stadium has gotten progressively worse. Not only have I played on the surface during the winter and seen first hand the poor quality, but even as a spectator I've been able to notice how poorly the field-turf behaves in a game situation. From my point of view, the initial deal to have public use in a professional stadium has become untenable.

Not only is the surface playing poorly, but the very fact we are using an inferior surface, as compared to natural grass, is beginning to have a negative impact on our professional soccer team, as well as our city. High level players have refused to play for Toronto because of the surface, which reflects negatively on Toronto on the world stage, and could have a significant impact on future tourism in the city, specifically on people coming to Toronto to see TFC play.

Because of this, I implore you, and the council, to address this issue as soon as possible. I understand MLSE is willing to pay for the new surface, as well as a new community use field. If this is the case, the negative financial impact to the city of Toronto would be minimal, but the potential gains would be significant. Please do not let such a positive and necessary change be mired in the political process unnecessarily.

[rocker]

^that pressure is very important. cuz it seems lots of politicians will defend the imaginary taxpayer on any such deal, while the REAL people who want these things remain in the background. sending the letters provides ammunition for councillors who WANT to support this, but who are faced with the imaginary taxpayer arguments of opponents. give them the letters they can use to defend the grass position. also, when any meetings are scheduled, TFC fans need to be there to show real support.

[billyfly]

They were just yapping about the Real Madrid friendly on CP24. Gave me a headache. The same people who most likely couldn't give a damn about TFC. Glory hunters and celebrity watchers. Toronto is filled with people like that.

Yeah. They are called Hab fans.

[Yeoman]

we need some 2-stix.

"KaKa gets grass.
Dichio doesn't?"

if i get time tomorrow? i'll make it
may look like crap, but the point will get across.

[billyfly]

Did anyone else notice this?

"About 1,000 seats have been added in the north end that become permanent next season”

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soc...76046-sun.html

[barticusz]

Since when do they take pictures of horses for the SUNshine girl?

[keem-o-sabi]

coed girl makes up for ssg

[TorCanSoc]

Seriously? I've seen worst SSGs. This one looks like a young girl with some miles on her... but ya know...that's not such a bad thing.

[ilikemusic]

You would think a friend or relative would have stopped her from agreeing to do the sunshine girl.

[Mshob]

Hey eveyrone...

just thought id let you guys know i got my pre-game article with the squad list for Real Madrid.....
Feel free to visit and see for your self....
http://tfc.american-soccer-news.com/?p=500

[billyfly]

I've always wondered if the SSGs read these boards. Some of them would have to be put on suicide watch.