Turf Talk with the Maryland SoccerPlex

With the Maryland SoccerPlex

A weekly newsletter to keep you informed about EVERYTHING Turf at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

This week we will be discussing the parameters of a professional soccer field!

Home Away from Home!

Exciting news...on March 17th, the SoccerPlex will host the first of DC United's Home Away from Home series. This is the first time we will host an MLS league match, DC United v Houston at 1:30 pm.

So this week we're sharing with you how we will get ready. The D.C. United game will be played on our award winning Maureen Hendricks Field, the same field on which the Washington Spirit play their home games. The FIFA standard dimensions for a professional soccer field is 100-120 yards in length by 70-80 yards wide. Maureen Hendricks Field is 115 yards long by 75 yards wide. In addition to the correct dimensions, the field must not have other lines present, and if there are overlapping lines for multiple field formations, the line colors must be different. On our stadium field, we only play full field games, so this is not an issue we must deal with. In addition, the goals must be 8 feet tall and 24 feet wide, it's crazy to think 1 person can cover all that space! These are just the basic parameters that must be followed for a professional soccer match.

Historically, our stadium field does not open until the end of March, so the SoccerPlex grounds crew will have to prepare the field earlier this year.

Luckily the weather is going to be mild for this week and next week which will really help our team. They will start by taking the covers off the field. Once the covers are off, they will start by dragging the field to fluff up the grass once again. Right before the grounds crew put the field to bed they did a heavy amount of seeding. With that they are hoping to get a cut in. They will also seed again in spots if necessary. If the weather allows they will decompact the soil by doing a deep tine treatment as well. As the date grows closer the grounds crew will continue to monitor the weather to find gaps that they can treat and tend to the field to ensure its quality!

If you want to attend this historic match order your tickets now! Tickets can be ordered at dcunited.com!

Next Week

Tune in next week as we discuss what makes a turfgrass cool or warm season

Ask Us Your Questions

Do you have a burning turfgrass related question? Ask us! We will be happy to answer it in future iterations of Turf Talk - just email us at [email protected], subject line Turf Talk Question.

Many Thanks to Fine Earth Landscape, Inc. for

Their Continued Support of the Maryland SoccerPlex.

Learn more about Fine Earth here.

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