TORONTO, July 24, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- BMO Field, home to Major League Soccer's Toronto FC, and the site of international soccer matches involving the Canadian national teams, has once again achieved FIFA 2-Star recommended status.
The FieldTurf surface at BMO Field is the latest in synthetic turf innovation and was initially installed in April 2007. It first passed the stern FIFA testing procedures in June 2007. A little over one year later, after a heavy amount of professional soccer and events, it came time to retest the field for the same soccer-like playability characteristics.
"We're pleased that BMO's FieldTurf has once again achieved the prestigious FIFA 2-Star recommended status," said Bob Hunter, Executive Vice President, Venues and Entertainment, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. "Our FieldTurf has contributed to increased player safety and consistent playability. Besides Toronto FC matches, we've held several important international matches at BMO Field including the FIFA U-20 World Cup Finals and community soccer programming. The FieldTurf has proven time and time again to be a high-quality surface ideal for top-level soccer competitions."
"The results are extremely gratifying to us but not surprising as FieldTurf is designed to outperform the most stringent testing," said FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields. "Passing a rigorous FIFA 2-Star re-test with ease for the second time is a true testament to our product's durability. Our engineered turf system delivers the ideal playing surface for soccer and has proven to be as safe and more consistent than natural grass, providing truer ball rolls and smooth play."
BMO Field serves as a permanent home for Toronto FC and the Canadian National team. It is also accessible to community youth and adult soccer leagues. Often described as the best soccer atmosphere in North America, BMO Field has played host to both men's and women's Canadian national team contests, the semi-finals and finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada, along with the 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game.
The FIFA Recommended 2-Star for artificial turf is designed specifically to mirror the playing characteristics of professional football. FIFA final round competitions and top UEFA competitions have the FIFA Recommended 2-Star in their respective competition regulations. The FIFA Recommended 2-Star designation is issued after a battery of tests are performed by a FIFA approved testing agent. Ball roll, shock absorption, rotational resistance, and water permeability are just some of the crucial field properties that are tested throughout the certification process.
FieldTurf was the very first artificial surface to attain FIFA Recommended status due to its superior grass-like performance, which soccer players prefer. FieldTurf was the 1st artificial pitch to host a UEFA Cup Qualifying Round (Torpedo, Moscow); and the 1st to host a FIFA Soccer Tournament (Jeux de la Francophonie). FieldTurf has passed the international governing body's most stringent testing and has more FIFA Recommended pitches than anyone else. For more information on FieldTurf, please visit www.fieldturf.com