In Seattle, Joshua Mayers reports the artificial turf at CenturyLink Field became "the center of attention" yesterday when Toronto FC coach Ryan Nelsen called the surface "a bad artificial field." Nelsen said, "It’s tough. You’ve got the travel and then you’ve got not just an artificial field -- it’s a bad artificial field." Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid in response said that natural grass "is always soccer's preferred surface but took issue with an apparent singling out of Seattle's turf, which is entering its third season of use." Schmid: "I disagree with the point of making it seem like Seattle’s is worse than the others. I think the others are equally as good or as bad -- however you want to look at it." Other teams with artificial turf are the Whitecaps, Revolution and Timbers, the last of which "installed new FieldTurf before this season" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/11).
BORDER WAR: In California, Nick Green notes the Galaxy host Liga MX club Club Tijuana in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals tomorrow at 7:00pm PT. Capacity at StubHub Center for the game is "currently pegged at 17,500 because school is in session at Cal State Dominguez Hills," where the facility is located. Galaxy officials said that the club and school are "working together to increase capacity if needed, a distinct possibility given the thousands of Southern California Club Tijuana fans who regularly trek across the border for games" (Torrance DAILY BREEZE, 3/11).
PUBLIC OPINION: SI.com's Avi Creditor noted NYC FC is "down to two options for its team crest, and it’s up to the fans to decide how the club will be branded entering its inaugural MLS season." The club has "narrowed down its options for two designed by Rafael Esquer, and it’s up to the club’s fans to determine which one ... will emerge." NYC FC Chief Business Officer Tim Pernetti said, "Our supporters will always have a voice in our Club at New York City FC." Voting lasts through Thursday, and the winner will be revealed a week later (SI.com, 3/10).
MIAMI VICE: In N.Y., Emily Smith notes David Beckham's hope "to build a 25,000 to 40,000-seat stadium at Port Miami" has "raised opposition from Royal Caribbean Cruises." A source said, "The land Beckham wants is very coveted. The cruise lines want the land, the city wants the land, and developers want the land, so there is definitely going to have to be a lot of politics involved. Beckham is doing a big push for that site, but he’s far from getting it" (N.Y. POST, 3/11).
