FIELD OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL SOCCER

The Field of the Year Awards program is made possible by the support of sponsors Carolina Green, World Class Athletic Surfaces and EPS.

OUR FIELD REPRESENTS THE highest standard of sports turf management, driven by forward thinking, advanced turf technologies, and a passionate, dedicated crew. We prioritize our athletes, so elite playing surfaces and player safety are essential for top-notch performance. We’ ve made history by being the world’ s first women’ s-soccer-specific stadium, paving the way and setting the standard in women’ s soccer and women’ s sports. What sets our field apart is the advanced turf technologies, including SGL LED grow lights, SubAir hydronic and vacuum system, SGL TurfPods, SoilScout sensors, SubAir Turfbreeze fans, POGO, DelTec Field Tester, and Clegg hammer testing equipment. We utilized these tools to make data-driven decisions that optimize turf performance year round. We manage both warm-season and cool-season turf in the transition zone, which requires detailed cultural practices and a thorough fertility program to ensure strong playability, aesthetics, and durability in high-traffic, professional environments. Not only do we hold high standards for field surfaces, but we also develop a high level of integrity and commitment within our department. We have built a team culture that values professional development; improvement; and a safe, collaborative workplace. While we spend a countless amount of time together, we have created a family that supports one another, a bond that reflects the hard work and dedication poured into our world-class playing surfaces.

– Mira Adamek, manager of sports turf and grounds

Level and category of submission: Professional Soccer

Field manager: Mira Adamek

Title: Manager of Sports Turf and Grounds

Education: Bachelor’ s degree in Horticulture Turfgrass Management; minor in Agronomy

Original facility construction: 2022

Turfgrass: Northbridge bermuda

Overseed: Perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass

Rootzone: Sand 95 % / Peat 5 %

Soil Amendments: RZA( DryJect)

SportsField Management( SFM): Congratulations on the Field of the Year win. What are you most proud of with this win? Julie Kessler, manager of sports turf and grounds: What I am most proud of with this win is that it reflects the commitment and care of our crew. Our number-one priority is to provide a safe playing surface for any athlete that steps on it. This award is a result of consistent attention to detail while striving to get better every day and learning all we can about creating the best playing surface. Now being recognized at the highest level in our industry has made it even more rewarding.

SFM: What were the biggest challenges you have faced with the winning field, and how have you approached those challenges? Kessler: One of the biggest challenges is the weather in Kansas City. Being in the transition zone, we can grow both warm- and cool-season grasses, but it is difficult to grow one type well year-round. We are lucky to have tools like Soil Scout sensors, Stadium Grow Lighting, SubAir, and more technologies that help us provide ideal growing conditions for our stadium field. Our stadium has a roof on three of the four sides; and in the fall and winter months our south end gets very little sunlight and airflow. We utilize grow lights and fans to promote growth and air flow to prevent disease. Over the summer, our irrigation water became contaminated, which made August an extremely challenging month battling the high temperature with a high salt content in the irrigation water. We had to regrow the whole field twice during that time to provide a safe playing surface for the matches we were hosting. We have approached all our challenges with an open mind, and we are eager to find a solution while learning what we could do differently next time.

SFM: Can you share a little about your overall management approach to the winning field and what you feel have been the most important aspects to getting this field to an award-winning level? Mira Adamek, manager of sports turf and grounds: Our management approach is centered around our athletes and delivering a world-class playing surface. Every time they step on the field, their performance and their livelihoods are on the line. We prioritize data collected above and below the surface, enabling us to make informed, data-driven decisions for regular and long-term maintenance. From soil moisture, soil temperature, surface firmness / softness, salinity content, and other technologies, we evaluate and determine what changes need to be made for optimal performance. Based on upcoming matches / events, we tailor our approach to ensure the plant is at its strongest and most durable during competition.

The most important aspect of getting this field to an award-winning level is building and training a crew that understands what it takes to deliver world-class playing surfaces at the highest professional level. Success starts with the people; individuals who are passionate and take pride in their work. In a season, we spend countless hours together; and fostering a fun, positive work environment turns work into something a little more meaningful.

SFM: Please tell us about your crew, and anything else you would like us to know about your organization and the fields / facilities that you manage? Trina Strayer, manager of sports turf and grounds: CPKC Stadium is the first stadium in the world purpose-built for a professional women ' s soccer team. It is an honor for us to be a part of an organization and ownership group that believes so deeply in investing in women ' s sports and setting a new global standard. We have three full-time sports field managers— Mira Adamek, Julie Kessler, and me. We dedicate countless hours to our fields; and while the work is demanding, we genuinely enjoy what we do and have fun doing it. There ' s a real sense of pride in what we accomplish together, and even the long days feel rewarding because of the camaraderie and teamwork. Our success comes from staying focused on the details while finding ways to enjoy the process along the way.

Our two other crew members, Trey Trumbo and Ben Ervie, spend most of their time at our training facility, but float between facilities depending on the needs of event schedules and match preparation. This flexibility allows us to operate as one unified team across both facilities. Whether we are preparing the stadium field for match day or managing recovery and daily training demands at the training facility, everyone understands the bigger picture in delivering world-class playing surfaces for all athletes. SFM: Can you share a bit of insight into what the Field of the Year application process was like for you, as well as any tips you might have for other sports field managers? Strayer: The Field of the Year application process gave us a chance to step back and reflect on the year and all of the work that went into it. It also made us appreciate the challenges we worked through. Whether it was weather or heavy traffic, being able to show how we adjusted and problem-solved was just as important as showing the finished product. It allowed us to explain the reasoning behind our decisions— from cultural practices to recovery strategies. The application wasn ' t just about highlighting successes; it was about demonstrating consistency, adaptability, and a commitment to player safety and performance throughout the entire season.

One thing that helped us was staying as organized as possible throughout the year and documenting everything we did. Taking photos, testing, keeping notes, and tracking what we were doing throughout the year made the application much easier when it came time to put everything together. It also helped us better explain why we do things the way we do.