’It thrives best in this environment’: Grass in The Benz is greener for FIFA World Cup
The Kentucky Blue Grass at Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been tested in Tennessee and is expected to provide a perfect playing surface for the eight World Cup matches to be played in Atlanta this summer. The post ’It thrives best in this environment’: Grass in The Benz is greener for FIFA World Cup appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
Black News 
The sprinklers inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium came on while the grass expert was talking. The timing could not have been better.
Stuart Wilson, the FIFA Pitch Venue Manager, was explaining how the Kentucky Blue Grass blanketing the soccer pitch inside the stadium made its way to Atlanta when the waterworks began. Wilson, a former staffer with Arsenal Football Club, didn’t bat an eye as the water mad ethe already emerald green glass shimmer and shine.
“It thrives best in this environment. It’s a natural sod stitched with natural fibers,” Wilson explained.
It took four days to completely install the grass, according to Wilson, and since there will not be any Major League Soccer matches played until after the tournament, the field should be easier to maintain.
The grass field will be a change for any soccer fams used to watching Major League Soccer club Atlanta United on it’s home turf. Pun intended. In order to make the playing surface acceptable for the eight World Cup matches that will be played in Atlanta this summer, the grass had to be suitable for the highest level of play. Leonel Messi would be proud.
The grass from Kentucky, the sod however, is from Colorado. The combination mixed with the (air) conditions inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium will help keep the surface ready for whatever the World Cup clubs have to offer.
The grass was tested in Tennessee, it will be perfect for World Cup play, says London-born Wilson. “I’m very confident that this will be a perfect playing surface,” he said. “It’s really, really top level stuff.”
Atlanta will host matches in every round with the exception of the quarterfinals and finals, which are scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Something for everyone:
There will be mobile sensory rooms available at all World Cup venues, according to Bev Carter, FIFA Host City Director, Atlanta. The sensory rooms are presented by Hisense.
There will be at least one room available, and in Atlanta, the sensory room was located in the Home Depot Backyard on Thursday. It’s proximity to the stairs, outdoor escalator, and entrance will make the quiet space most accessible to guests.
“We really hope this city embraces this opportunity,” Carter said.
The post ’It thrives best in this environment’: Grass in The Benz is greener for FIFA World Cup appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
