Field Turf is a go for 2007

I renewed my tix this morning. I guess that was a little too early. Every match I've seen played on plastigrass has sucked. It is not the same game at all. The best we can hope for now is that el cheapo Krafty sells the team. He has made it VERY clear in recent weeks that he doesn't give a rats ass about soccer. Look at what Houston did for their fans to help them attend the cup match. Where was our wonderful, generous owner? Did he even bother to attend thet match Sunday in Dallas? The ONLY reason for fiels turf is because it is SOO much cheaper than maintaiing a real grass surface. May the Pats continue on their losing streak.
MLS would be better without the Kraft family.

 

well one never knows, we've got some guys bigger than you playing at our indoor facility.

it would be interesting what they do with that if we do get a SSS, but i would think field turf would be out of the question.

 

which should keep things cleaner as players will think twice about sliding in from behind. (which never gets a red anymore, but thats for another day)

 

O.K. After reading this, ya'll really, really, really need to get a SSS NOW! Who do the Krafts think they are, the RedMetroBullSucks?

I know your pain. We've been through Sucklake (Southlake) with that ugly black & green Dragon turf.

 

I've played on fieldturf. It sucks. You make a sliding challenge and you get rubber pellets up your ass. It also kills your knees (as others have said). I have bum knees (and ankles) so it means that I'll feel it for a week after I play a 40 minute game. It was one of the reasons I had to go for physical therapy last year.

 

Ugh...I think I just threw up a little bit, in my mouth.

 

Do you think el cheapo maximus even realizes how many matches he has eliminated his facility from hosting? ( which is probably a blessing for all concerned, especially we fools who even through this will continue to support soccer. We won't have to watch one additional match played on plastigrass)

 

What "Designated player" is going to just love coming to NE now?

If the gridiron football lines are permanent, that will absolutley blow

And so if the World Cup comes back here ever - we can say Gillette is out of the question.

It seems this is a knee jerk reaction to Pats losing two in a row and probably blaming the field.

Bring on the SSS.

 

That's a good point that's worth discussing.

 

That could be an issue.

The earliest the WC could be back is 2022. Things may be different then. The only longshot is if south africa isn't ready in 2010 and they need a country outside of europe to host on the quick. That's where it would f this area.

I think it's more along the lines of the NFL saying "hey, I thought you fixed your field and now it's coming up like crazy"

 

I'll be at the Good Times Saturday and if any of the Krafts want to discuss it with me I'll be more than happy too.

 

First of all, they played WC '94 games on temporary grass surfaces in Pontiac and East Rutherford, so there's no reason to believe that Gillette couldn't host a World Cup match in the future. Just like Salt Lake put down temporary grass for the Costa Rica qualifier, it could be done here.

(BTW, if this means Foxboro losing out on stuff like the Gold Cup, that might not be such a bad thing. This market was oversaturated in recent years with US matches against lame opponents, ChampionsWorld friendlies, etc.)

And I don't think the Pats' losing had anything to do with it. The fact that they've already started the process today suggests that the idea had been on their minds for quite some time. Probably had the bulldozer guys on speed dial.

 

I despise FieldTurf and would rather play on most AstroTurf fields than FieldTurf, believe it or not. And I've played on maybe a half-dozen grass fields in my life that are worse than FieldTurf, mostly due to the presence of glass, standing water, and/or manholes.

My college installed FieldTurf last year and I've played on several others. I never feel confident in my footing on the stuff because of the rubbery cushion, and I find it to be slippery (I've worn cleats but never turf shoes, maybe that could help). At least with Astro you've got a firm foundation under you with that cement that allows you to make plants and cuts. As mentioned before, the ball moves extremely quickly on FT and takes the predictability out of any flighted ball with pace.

This is one of the most disappointing pieces of news to ever come out of Foxboro. You can't really argue with the decision given how much the Pats games are affected, but it's extremely unfortunate nonetheless.

 

My condolences.

I always enjoyed the trip to Foxboro to see USA matches. The ride up wouldnt be bad because wed just get pumped for the game, the ride back was fine because wed still be buzzed from the game, and the stadium was nice, though I prefer the old one.

I guess if Im having another road trip to a USA match in New England, it will only be a 4 minute ride. Ill miss the roadtrip.

 

Begin Tirade.

This thread is really depressing to read. While I know that may of the posts have put in some sort of caveat that they would prefer to have grass, a surprising number of people seem to be trying to put this in the most positive light possible. Perhaps this is your way of dealing with extremely bad news?

I am not a Pats fan, having grown tired of the commercials associated with football and having grown up in Pittsburgh, I am both uninterested and unattached to the Pats. For me, the Revolution are the "primary" tennant of Gillete. If the Crew announced that they were going to put field turf down in Crew Stadium, I believe (but can't prove) that 90% of the people that have posted about turf being "the closest thing you can get to grass" would be posting sympathizing and would also be posting extremely negative opinions of Crew management and ownership/operatorship. I feel just the same about this Kraft decision.

Despite 5 trips to the ECF and 3 MLS cups in 5 years, this event serves to highlight the position of the REVS star in the Kraft firmament. I've checked my e-mail, no center circle e-mail to explain this. No information regarding the permanance or not of the gridiron lines. Simply no coordination with the REV sister organization that I can detect. No, I'm not saying Bob Kraft hates the REVS and doesn't care at all. But to quote Gayle Sayers, "We are third." Third behind Football and concerts. A distant third.

I renewed for next year KNOWING they were putting sod down. I thought I'd get at least half a season with grass. This certainly seems like a bait and switch after 11 years of watching them play on grass.

So, I don't mean to question anyones sincerity, but if this makes you mad, quit trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Bitch, moan and complain. Your fan loyalty is to the soccer team, meaning the players that go out on the pitch. You didn't swear an oath of allegiance to Mr. Kraft and you don't need to do his PR work for him. The rant may be cathartic.

Two final thoughts

1. I went to see the USA play Czech Republic in Gelsinkirchen. Anyone else go? Did anyone else notice it had a retractable roof which, even fully open, provided infinitely less exposure to the sun than Gillette, in a similar climate for clouds and rain? Did you also notice the beautiful condition of the field? I think Bob Kraft or Jonathan or both is full of crap if they say Gillette is too tall.

2. Fan loyalty is all well and good but MLS is turning 12 now and MLS should be beyond reflexive protection of these negative (to soccer) decisions. Football will live or die in the USA or New England because it is entertaining. Gridiron lines all season long is not entertaining. I hope that if they start kicking everyone in the balls (okay women, something equally horrible for you) on the way through the gate that we won't see posts telling us why that should be acceptable.

Can I get my money back?

Tirade over.

 

I was at the game as well. AufShalke Arena had a retractable pitch, just like what the Cardinals have in Glendale, so the entire pitch can be moved outside to get the appropriate light and water. Furthermore, I seem to recall at least one EPL side (Man City?) which has a system of full spectrum lights they use at their stadium to keep the grass healthy and growing during the winter.

 

All of you make me so angry. I'm done with this thread and the misconception of what they are actually putting down.

 

Which I will interpret as, "If they really wanted grass, they'd find a f***in way."

 

Real grass could be grown at Gillette. The problem is not the height of the stadium, the climate or any other of the lame excuses. The problem is now and as it always has been, an owner who doesn't care about soccer and is just plain cheap. Look whay he did to the Patriots. Reworked Brady's contract, got him to accept a pay cut so they could resign the wide recievers, and then let them both go. Is Kraft in financial trouble or what?

 

Pats are still a contender, so it's good business.

What Kraft doesn't know is that you can't run a sport franchise like a regular business.

 

I hear they are into skee ball, so they may just be there.

 

Maybe they can use the money from their now dismissed groudkeeeping staff and use it on our "designated player".