I doubt that this move by Spurs is just about NFL. It is in London so I can see them making it a concert venue that isn't Wembley.
MLSE is looking to spend the least amount possible with this groundshare reno. Well...HALF of them are.
Still waiting on an official announcement before renewals on their plan.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
Gents - just travelling south from Manchester after a tour of Old Trafford. Spoke to the stadium staff about a number of things but grass was a topic.
They put in Desomaster hybrid grass (3% artificial). They reseed it after every game as the cost and logistics to replace are more difficult. Mentioned BMO and CFL football. They immediately went to memories of Wembley and NFL and offered a pessimistic outlook on the ability of the 2 teams to co-exist over the course of a season. Particularly with weather.
Put it in the we'll see category but I got the sense that they felt this was way down on the "list of good ideas to maintain a proper pitch."
Spent last night at the Gold Cup games in the company of two gents involved in the Argos operations. One of them was particularly interested in seeing how the grass held up over the course of two games in one night. Quite decently, considering the rain.
Listening to them, it was cringeworthy, to say the least. Referred to soccer players and fans as 'squealing babies' and were quite merry at the prospect of seeing the Argos 'rip the hell' out of the playing surface. They said CFL players are quite content playing on synthetic turf, especially as the colder, wetter weather sets in and see the grass as an unnecessary complication when it comes to choosing proper footwear and having to adjust how pass routes are run.
Not sounding like a marriage made in heaven.
This Ottawa Edmonton game in a downpour is making me cringe. It will happen at some point during the Argos squatting at BMO, and it will ruin the pitch.
As a kicker on their end zone hill, painted signs from the women's world cup still are fairly visible
Quoted from another thread for relevance from a keen poster!
I'd love to hear from anyone who could give their impression of the state of the pitch for the Canada Gold Cup game. I didn't hear of any complaints from the Pan Am rugby but couldn't see much of the match or the state of the pitch.
I can vouch I didn't personally see anyone affected by the state of the pitch on the Sat game TFC vs Pilly.
Last edited by Fort York Redcoat; 07-29-2015 at 09:07 AM.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
Yea, I didnt notice anything at GC game. No pitch damage or visible lines left over (maybe that paint/paint washer works)
However, the pan ams was 7's. A much different game from whats happening today.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
In good weather the field won't be effected much, thats not the issue. If their is a down pour like we had during the gold cup during an argos game is when the damage will occur.
This damage would occur regardless though right? I mean sure it'll be to a greater extent with more uses, however even if it were just TFC and some other standard friendlies/international games the field could be destroyed enough to warrant a new one. Oh wait.. this just happened in KC.
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls...e28904368.html
Hybrid turf in theory should be able to withstand more punishment. If MLSE is willing to swallow the costs to replace it if it ever gets really bad, does it really matter if the Argo's play there?
If you want to watch the rugby matches and or the state of the pitch here is the live stream...
http://www.worldrugby.org/pnc/video/81769
I believe Bez mentioned it in an interview.
As I quoted from one of the NFL teams that uses hybrid: although initially stronger, it's much harder to replace sections of a hybrid pitch when it's damaged. In the case of the NFL, they often have enough time between games to overseed & regrow partially damaged sections (including the planting of sprouted grass rather than starting only from seed). That includes the use of grow lights & other tricks to speed it up. With the busier MLS schedule, + CONCACAF + CFL + rugby + national teams + who knows what, that's much harder.
Maybe they'll try to grow the strongest grass possible; use grow lights & tarps & any other tricks they can think of. And keep their fingers crossed. And insert a patchwork quilt of replacement grass as needed.
Obviously nothing is really clear, and hybrid isn't the panacea that some of hoped for. And we're likely screwed.
Here is the stream for the Japan Fiji match.
http://www.worldrugby.org/pnc/video/81770
Looks like the pitch will be pretty well torn up before the Canada Samoa match at 8:30
Last edited by Petor; 07-29-2015 at 05:49 PM.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
Portland game, IIRC. He said MLSE was considering not doing a switch, to be truthful. That as the first and only time I've heard that but given the issues people have raised about Desso having to be resodded between matches, might be the better first choice (given the choice most of us want isn't going to happen). They probably havn't finalized this decision.
No Hybrid? FFS
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
Agreed.
The theory is that hybrid turf is impossible to 'patch'. Grass surface is easily patchable and completely replaceable given some catastrophic incident (like a muddy argo game during a sensitive time of year).
If that fails, then I am sure they will chance a hybrid surface. Next step if that fails is pretty obvious. Get ready for the three ring circus.
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Twitter: @RPBPhil
Renewals are not going to happen until this team makes the playoffs (I'm assuming it does as it would be a monumental failure to not do so given our situation and play until now).
Peak demand time....get people when we are on a roll.
And I am beginning to see what @Pint mentions in that I can't see them letting everyone know what the surface situation will be if they aren't convinced it will be a seller for renewals. I still find it untoward that they will be selling a product they presently are not confident in to withstand the rigours of this ground share.
Circus, indeed.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER