Ochoa fears that AT&T Stadium's turf used during soccer games makes players more likely to get injuredGETTY IMAGES
More and more voices are joining Mexico GK Guillermo Ochoa in "complaining about AT&T Stadium's field conditions for soccer games," according to Vizcaino & Pagliuca of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The Mexican men's national team is set to "play each year at AT&T Stadium as part of its annual U.S. tour" until '22. Ochoa "highlighted the harm artificial turf can cause to players' bodies." At least five Mexican players and three Ecuadorian players "suffered injuries in Arlington in the last five years." However, a Soccer United Marketing official said that the playing field "met all of FIFA's regulations." When soccer games are "planned for the Cowboys home, the artificial turf used for football games gets rolled up and kept away." Natural turf is then "installed over the concrete bed" and "spread over the field a few days in advance, putting together a kind of 'puzzle' with the pieces." Panama F Blaz Perez said, "Your fear is getting a foot stuck (in one of the gaps). You think more on that, even as you remain focused on the game." These complaints come "during a critical time for soccer in Dallas, as the city is awaiting FIFA's announcement" of the cities hosting North America's '26 World Cup games (DALLASNEWS.com, 7/5).
