One pitch is among the largest of all MLS clubs. The other pitch just squeaks by NCAA regulations. One pitch is natural grass, super soft and a luscious green. The other pitch is artificial.
The men’s soccer team got the opportunity to play on a pro pitch on Sept. 1 against UIC at Toyota Park, but it’s an experience they didn’t let go to their heads.
“It’s definitely the nicest place I’ve ever played,” said senior defender/midfielder Matt Leinauer. “I got to feel like a pro for a day in a big stadium and locker room. It was nice and felt fans.”
The Blue Demons fell 0-2 to UIC on the Thursday evening clash at the home of the Chicago Fire, and the difference between the playing surface at Toyota Park and Wish Field is more than meets the eye.
For starters, Toyota Park is natural grass – bluegrass, to be specific. The bluegrass at Toyota Park is about 5/8th of an inch long and is the original turf that was installed in 2006, the only exception being a resodding of the goal at the South end of the stadium, Toyota Park Turf Manager Eric Adkins told the Fire’s in-house “Touchline size.”
Wish Field is 70 yards wide by 115 yards long. Since September 1995, these are the minimum dimensions set out by the NCAA.
Although slightly shorter and narrower in comparison, when factoring in the square yardage, Wish Field is actually 950 square yards smaller than the pitch at Toyota Park, which can add fatigue and a shift in playing style caused by the large amount of space.
However, Leinauer said the size of the pitch doesn’t matter to the Blue Demons.
“We don’t adjust our game plan based on a field we’re playing on,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan and our style of play no matter