FIELD OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL SOCCER
For the first time since 2021 , we had a full-time tenant at our stadium field . The new tenant , Crown Legacy Football Club , is a member of the MLS Next Pro League and is Charlotte FC ’ s second team . We were given an amazing opportunity to host Crown Legacy FC ’ s inaugural season , so we wanted to provide an excellent and safe playing surface . As we experienced prior to the COVID-19 pandemic – when we were the home site for the USL ’ s Charlotte Independence – a full-season of a professional soccer schedule is challenging .
It required us to be meticulous about the playing surface to ensure it was in the best shape possible each match day . We also decided to become more aggressive with our cultural practices to combat the extra wear we would face throughout the year , which included five aerifications and three vertical mows .
One challenge we had as we entered the year was the transition period from ryegrass back to bermuda . We had to ensure the field would be grown-in after spraying out our ryegrass . If we found winter kill , we don ’ t have the budget to do large sod replacement . Fortunately , with good temperatures early and our cultural preparations , we were grown-in throughout our three-week shutdown period , and fully prepared for the next match .
In addition to Crown Legacy FC , we also hosted the South Atlantic Conference ’ s Lacrosse Conference
Tournaments , multiple high school lacrosse events , Covenant Day Football ’ s playoff game , Big South Soccer Conference Tournament , college rugby , Greystar Company Field Day and Team Mexico training .
In total we hosted 45 games and trainings ; the biggest highlight of which was hosting two of Charlotte FC ’ s U . S . Open Cup matches . This was our first opportunity to host a soccer match between two MLS teams , which comes with a lot of expectations .
This challenge is why we do what we do as turf managers ; making things happen when high profile events are put in front of us . My team and I set our expectations to start the year knowing that it would take a lot of hard work and dedication to provide a good professional surface each week , which is something that is sometimes overlooked when it comes to parks and recreation facilities . Sometimes the common theme is that “ it ’ s just a parks and rec field ,” but we wanted to change that opinion by providing a surface that meets and exceeds an MLS team ’ s expectations .
It doesn ’ t just stop there . We want to provide that same surface for every event , from youth , all the way to the professionals . I could not be prouder of the product that we produced throughout the year .
— Jonathan Waszak , maintenance and operations supervisor sportsfieldmanagementonline . com January 2024 | SportsField Management
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