There have been plenty of international soccer matches held at Gillette. And if the US lands the World Cup again, it has been named as a site. Better?
When the US Men's Soccer Game is held at Gillette, there are required per FIFA rules to provide a grass field. This would hold true for any National Games, World Cup Quilifiers or future World Cup Games. While working on the Patriot Place project, the US National Team and other countries (Brazil) played at Gillette. A week or two before the game, they laid down grass. Right after the game, they ripped it up. Now, there is an added expense, but it was my understanding that the Krafts were never losing money on these games.
Should the Rent turn to Field Turf, I feel like we may become more of a 2nd or 3rd choice stadium. Right now, permanent grass is a big plus to the Rent landing games like the recent Gold Cup game against Costa Rica.
The last two rounds, the Rent has been host to a send off game for the US for the World Cup. It allows the team to visit ESPN before going on their way. I would expect the same to occur next year. If the field turf decision has already been made, I expect the following to occur after seeing the scoreboard debacle.
- US plays a non World Cup European Team in the earlier summer at the Rent on natural grass.
- The Rent is ripped up of their beautiful natural grass.
- Dirt remains, as all wait for the funding meeting that only happens on August 1st to approve the funding of the Field Turf
- Late start, turfs not ready by the first game and everyone is up in arms.
Love the natural grass of the Rent. It gets better every year. Count me in the court of "I hope it stays"...
