Presto! Arizona Cardinals’ stadium is ready for soccer
Aug 1, 2013, 6:38 AM | Updated: 10:39 am
GLENDALE, Ariz. — University of Phoenix stadium is ready for a different kind of football.
The stadium will host a soccer game Thursday between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Madrid. The rest of the world calls the sport ‘football,’ or something similar.
Workers spent Wednesday night getting the field ready.
Arizona Cardinals Vice President of Stadium Operations John Drum said changing the field from football to soccer is easy.
“Basically, we just paint over the white football lines with a color that matches the turf. Then we go ahead and paint the white soccer lines on the field,” said Drum. “Basically, you minimize one and emphasize the other.”
The field is on a movable tray that allows the grass to be out in the sun during the day, then moved into the stadium for the game. Moving the field takes about 90 minutes.
“The field tray came inside the building, and workers were getting the facility ready for the game this evening,” said Drum. “They were setting field boards and any additional technology and seating that’s needed for the soccer game. We’ll open the doors at 6 p.m. tonight for the soccer game.”
After the game, the field will be moved back outside. The football field will be repainted and moved back into the stadium in time for Cardinals’ practice Friday.
