BLAINE, Minn., Oct. 24, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The world's largest amateur sports and meeting facility is getting the world's most trusted brand of artificial turf. FieldTurf has been selected by the National Sports Center (NSC) for the field in their indoor soccer facility. The United Soccer League's (USL) Minnesota Thunder will train at the NSC, making the Thunder the 5th USL team to play and/or practice on FieldTurf. Half of the USL first division uses FieldTurf.
"We chose FieldTurf because of the company's reputation and their ability to provide the safest, and most durable product that performs like grass," said Kris Bjerkness, Executive Director, National Sports Center. "When comparing turf companies, FieldTurf was leaps and bounds better than the rest in every category."
"We are honored that a first-class organization like the National Sports Center has chosen FieldTurf for a significant investment into their community," said Joe Fields, FieldTurf Tarkett CEO. "Whether you play for the Minnesota Thunder or a local youth sports team, you will have the comfort of knowing that you are on the safest, most accepted synthetic turf in the world."
The NSC has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest soccer complex in the world. Since opening its doors, the NSC has hosted over 22 million visitors. In 2007, 3.7 million people visited the campus, making it Minnesota's most visited sports facility -- more than the Metrodome, Target Center or Xcel Energy Center.
Several North American professional soccer teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) and the USL play their home games on FieldTurf. The New England Revolution (MLS), Toronto FC (MLS), NY Red Bulls (MLS), Seattle Sounders (USL - MLS 2009), Rochester Rhinos (USL), Atlanta Silverbacks (USL), and Portland Timbers (USL) have all opted to play their home matches on the industry's best soccer-specific turf system. The Kansas City Wizards (MLS), LA Galaxy (MLS), Chivas USA (MLS), Vancouver Whitecaps (USL), and Minnesota Thunder (USL) practice on FieldTurf.
From June 30th - July 22nd, 2007 the world's elite young soccer talents competed in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. 24 teams from around the world made history as they participated in the first FIFA World Cup ever to be played on artificial turf. Almost half of the 52 matches including the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals were featured on FieldTurf. FieldTurf is also the official turf for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile with the World Cup Final, third place match, and quarter-finals, among 6 other preliminary games, to be played on the FieldTurf surface at Estadio Municipal de la Florida.
The FieldTurf system has been proven to provide the same amount of energy restitution as natural grass. Athletes from all over the globe have continuously stated that it is much more pleasant to play on FieldTurf because it increases shock absorbency, provides a solid, grass-like "artificial earth" for proper bio-mechanics and safety, and delivers grass-like energy restitution so players do not tire or adjust their playing styles. Coupled with its revolutionary monofilament technology, the FieldTurf product provides ideal ball bounce and ball roll properties giving it a reputation as the industry's premier specialized football surface. With FieldTurf, a through-ball settles down like it would on natural grass instead of running away from the player. For more information, visit www.fieldturf.com