Is there anything better than the sight of a picture-perfect, crisp green, game-ready pitch?
Well that’s exactly what’s awaiting the Red Bulls and fans at Red Bull Arena for Saturday’s home opener against D.C. United.
Dan Shemesh, Director of Grounds at Red Bull Arena, and his crew have been hard at work since early February to prime the pitch for opening day.
It wasn’t easy, but it never is. Factor in some tri-state snowstorms and rain, and the process instantly became even more tedious. Rest assured one of the league’s finest groundskeepers was up to the task.
“Throughout the offseason we routinely made visits to the sod farm where our plot sits on a 700-acre farm,” said Shemesh. “We hand pick the finest two-and-a-half acres for our field in an effort to begin the new installation process.”
The grounds crew began laying down the new patches of grass during the last week of February. In fact, if you are a Red Card member who was on hand for the season-opening viewing party at Red Bull Arena, you probably saw lights on the field illuminating the freshly-laid grass.
But even before that, the early stages of a managing the grounds requires laser-precision accuracy; literally. Shemesh employs a field-graded laser that allows for him and his crew to smooth over the surface and return the field to 2010 inaugural form.
“We’re definitely looking forward to getting things under way here for 2013,” said Shemesh. “Hopefully after these last couple of storms, we’ll have some nice weather ahead of us to give the field a nice kick.”
So get ready Red Bulls fans, because Red Bull Arena is ready for you.
Don’t miss the home opener at Red Bull Arena this Saturday, Mar. 16, at 12:30pm. Get your tickets now at Red Bulls Ticket Central, or by calling 877.RB.SOCCER.
