"One of the most visible signs of the ongoing changes at the facility is the large black sheet-like layer of rubber covering the much of the surface of the stadium. That layer is the first stage of installing the artificial turf. White lines identifying the midfield line and circle, along with the 18-yard and six-yard boxes, can be seen on the layer. The next step is to install the actual turf, which is expected to begin sometime next week." [Dated 2/16/2011] http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2011/02/conversion_of_pge_park_takes_s.html
Just posted today @ Dropping Timber. Photo evidence the light pole will not block anyone's view. Except for maybe the guy on the stationary bike on that MAC balcony.
Sort of. They belong to and are a part of the Multnomah Athletic Club. Who has first right of refusal of the land PGE Park sits on as they were the original owners of the land before the city. Something to that effect. Members of this elite athletic club fill that sucker up every match. You can see it on the wall of the building in this picture.
Which is just one example of the unique, awesome, random and crazy shit PGE will introduce to this league that you'd never find at one of the newer venues. I actually had a dream / nightmare last night about the first game. Turns out they underestimated the dimensions during construction and the field ended up being so tight against the stands that in one corner players taking a corner kick had to start their run up to the ball in a hallway adjacent to the corner flag area that led under the stands to the lockerrooms. At PGE I wouldn't be surprised.
Does anyone have any idea what the dimensions of this field will be? I can't tell whether the field is going to be Spartan Stadium-tight or not. It seems kinda narrow, but I have no frame of reference.
Thanks. Doing a little research, it appears our field will be on the smallish side compared to other MLS SSS field dimensions; but within suggested standards.
its definitely going to be small as shit, i hate narrow fields. it really inhibits the generation of "beautiful soccer", the game gets sloppy and hard to watch, couple that with the field turf and it will be interesting to see what the level of play is like in PGE.
Honestly, I don't recall the width of the field being a hindrance to the play out on the field (assuming the dimensions haven't narrowed). The turf quality was a different story. I think that the new turf should be a huge improvement over what they have had during the USL years. Perfect? No, but doable. Looking at some of the pictures, there doesn't seem to be much wiggle room in widening or lengthening the field. I believe that it will definitely necessitate some quick passing/decisions on the part of the team. Otherwise, I could see the midfield getting clogged in a hurry. We won't be able to spread the opposition out like they can at Dallas or RSL.
I do think the narrow field hindered play, if only because Cronin was apt to punt the ball out of bounds with some frequency. I've come to accept the idea of turf as the imperfect solution to the difficulties that would exist if a natural field were in place. But the narrow field is really irritating to me. I think it is so narrow because the new east stands can't go above street-level, as one of the conditions required by the city is that the open view from SW 18th St. be preserved. The problem is that, while people can see into the stadium, they will no longer be able to see the field, so there is really no reason to have preserved the view at all. Had that condition not been in place, the east stands could have been built up as high as the rest of the stadium, and it may not have been necessary to compress the width of the field to such a degree.
Not quite true. The curve of the North End stands needed to be continued as well, so that line would have been the same either way...
The limiting factor to the width of the pitch is not the distance between the east and west walls. It's the curve of the wall at the north end. The pitch is still going to be a good 15-20 feet away from the west side wall. If it wasn't for the curve in the north end they could of made the pitch another 5 yards wider without any problem.
PDXMike speaks the truth. I mean, they'll still have a downscaled beer garden at field level in the SW corner, which negates the idea that the width is limited by the East/West stands.
yup, the north end is the limiting factor, its a balance of trying to get the field as close to the north end as possible while trying to make it as big as possible. 110X70 is what came out of that. to say the width has not been a limiting factor in the play is absurd, it always has been a limiting factor and its completely obvious when you watch teams like RSL who have a perfect pitch. also, i dont care how advanced the turf is, its still not natural grass and it doesnt play like natural grass. i've seen the advanced stuff they have and the ball still acts like its on plastic and not grass. love watching the webcam now, they only have one more section of seats to put in and they are starting to lay the turf.
it appears that all the seats are in, more than half the turf is in and they are installing the big ass scoreboard on the south end. webcam is now looking at the scoreboard installation. its all coming together nicely, cant wait until opening day.
By way of comparison Some Pitches in England: Manchester United, Old Trafford, 76 x 116 yards Arsenal's pitch at Emirates is 75 yards by 115 yards. Fulham, Craven Cottage, 75 x 110 yards West Ham United, Boleyn Ground, 70 x 110 yards Famous Highbury was 73x 110 MLS: Playing Field Dimensions/Pitch size of 11 MLS Stadiums Columbus Crew Stadium: Columbus Crew Stadium Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 115x75 yards http://columbus.crew.mlsnet.com/MLS/coc/stadium/ LA Galaxy/Chivas USA Stadium: Home Depot Center Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 120x75 yards http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/MLS/lag/load.jsp?section=about&content=teaminfo FC Dallas Pizza Hut Park Field Dimensions/Pitch Size: 117x74 yards http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/MLS/fcd/fans/fan_guide/ Chicago Fire Stadium: Toyota Park Field Dimensions/Pitch Size: 120x75 yards http://www.suntimes.com/output/fire/cst-spt-fire11.html Colorado Rapids Stadium: DSG Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 120x80 yards Red Bull New York Stadium: Red Bull Arena Field Dimensions/Pitch Size: 120x75 yards New England Revolution Stadium: Gillette stadium Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 115x75 yards DC United Stadium: RFK Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 110x72 yards Houston Dynamo Stadium: Robertson Stadium Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 115x70 yards Real Salt Lake Stadium: Rice-Eccles Stadium Field Dimensions/Pitch size: 120x70 yards So yeah 110 x 70 is definitely the low end of pitch size which is a real shame. Its amazing the difference 2.5 yards on all 4 sides makes to the game but it does.
for the record RSL's pitch is actually closer to 80 yards wide, the 70 that is often thrown around is incorrect. the first year RSL moved into rio tinto they used a 70 yard wide pitch because the field at Rice Eccles Stadium was 70 yards wide and they wanted to maintain a level of familiarity (due to playing style at the time) and once they set it at 70 yards MLS HQ would not allow them to change it until after the season was over. so the second season they were in Rio Tinto they widened to 80 yards.
And the HDC pitch is actually 80 wide, but the Galaxy were getting smoked all the time when the stadium first opened, and they narrowed the field to help their defense.
Does anyone have definitive info on what, if any, field-level beer garden there will be? Will access be open, for certain ticket holders or just for special-events?
All I know is that it will be a permanent beer garden, and there will be a permanent structure on the South Deck that will be built and operated by Widmer. Plans are supposed to be forthcoming, but I have no idea when that will actually be.
There will be a much smaller beer garden section, open only to groups who purchase 4-top tables either on a per game or per season basis, I can't recall which. Concessions service is gratis. I don't remember how much it is, but you can't afford it.
Well, duh. Since I got the money for season tickets by blowing off my wife's birthday and telling the kids they were apparently on Santa's naughty list, how could I possibly afford it?
A panoramic shot of the stadium taken on 2/23. For a bigger shot and more pictures check out droppingtimber