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Greener pastures Crew uses heaters to prep pitch for World Cup qualifier
Updated: Tuesday February 13, 2001 4:06 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- With a World Cup qualifying match between the U.S. and Mexico approaching, the grounds crew at Crew Stadium is trying a novel approach to make the grass in midwinter look as if it has been swept by tropical breezes. Three powerful heaters have been blowing air underneath a rain tarp since Sunday. "It will force the ground to take in heat [and] take the field out of its dormancy," said Darian Daily, the head groundskeeper at the site of the Feb. 28 match (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2 and Telemundo). Daily said the field will be in good shape. "First and foremost, we have to have it safe," he said. "Second, we want to get heat to it so it's in the best playable shape. "Third, we want it aesthetically pleasing. It will be at least 75 to 80 percent green. I really hope the field is a non-issue." The heating will continue until Thursday when the field will be seeded with 400 pounds of bluegrass and ryegrass. A clear "growth" tarp then will be placed over the field, allowing sunlight but stopping precipitation that might freeze the ground. There were chuckles when Columbus was first mentioned as a possible site for the game. Soccer in Columbus -- in February? But U.S. Soccer was looking for a distinct home-field advantage in the first game of the final qualification round leading to the 2002 World Cup. Columbus has it. The sellout crowd of more than 24,000 should be at least 90 percent American, and the temperatures just might make the warm-weather Mexicans a little uncomfortable. Of the three teams remaining in the qualification competition for the CONCACAF region, three will advance to the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. The temperatures for the last five years on Feb. 28 have ranged from a low of 20 to a high of 57 with a trace of snow or rain three of those years. Last year, the extremes were 54 and 31. Stadium manager Mark McCullers said the infrastructure will be able to handle cold weather. Heaters were added to the concession stands and restrooms to prevent pipes from freezing. The pipes also received a dose of antifreeze. Other issues are being addressed. Three temporary, enclosed and heated press boxes will be built on the northeast concourse. McCullers said approximately 100 seats will be available to the media in the auxiliary and press boxes. In addition, extra security has been added to keep out anyone who doesn't have a ticket. The match figures to be a test run -- on a grand scale -- for another midwinter event at Crew Stadium. The facility will host the NCAA Division I men's soccer championship on Dec. 14-16. The normal highs and lows for those dates are 39 and 25. At least the NCAAs will follow the growing season. The Feb. 28 match is pushing the envelope. "In my 12 years, this is the earliest event I've ever done," McCullers said. "This is about as early as it can get." In case of heavy snow in the hours before the game, the field would be covered until shortly before the start. The blowers would be used to keep the field heated. "The ground would have heat. The snow would melt," Daily said. "It should be able to handle it until the second half." The game will be played through cold, snow and ice if necessary. However, if conditions become extreme, there is a contingency, McCullers said. It was written into the contract that if the game is canceled or postponed, the stadium would be available again within 24 hours. The U.S. team will head to sunny Ft. Lauderdale to train for a full week beginning on Friday. Many lingering questions about the make-up of the U.S. roster will be answered later this week when head coach Bruce Arena announces the 24-player training camp pool.
The U.S. is trying to maintain a 15-year home unbeaten streak for World Cup qualifiers, and will also try to earn a record third consecutive victory over Mexico. Crew forward Brian McBride will be
trying to break a record of his own by scoring in his fifth consecutive
game for the national team, after he tied the 47-year-old record in January
with a goal against China.
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