Surface CenturyLink Field

the stadium prior sounders match on fieldturf

in 2002, centurylink field became first stadium in nfl install fieldturf artificial field. surface made of plastic fibers rooted in mixture of ground rubber , sand. field replaced in spring of 2008 after tests showed compression of sand , rubber increased risk of player injuries. fieldturf won bid second installation on polytan. replacement surface, one-inch (two , one-half centimeters) poured rubber foundation added prevent compression reoccurring. under naming rights agreement, qwest paid $500,000 installation , first & goal paid remaining amount, undisclosed. 2010 fieldturf s quality had decreased blades becoming matted down. failed fifa s quality testing ranked 2 star. new fieldturf surface laid down in 2012 , met requirements of 2 star field after testing.

the 1997 state referendum stated stadium feature natural grass surface, fieldturf not option when stadium presented voters according public stadium authority. seahawks management reconsidered surface after seahawks played on fieldturf @ husky stadium during 2000 , 2001 seasons. artificial turf installed because easier maintain natural grass. potential damage natural grass field caused seattle s frequent rain made surface appealing option. in order keep grass surface robust under heavy football use during late fall , winter rains, $1.8 million irrigation , heating system have been required. coach of seahawks @ time, mike holmgren, said fieldturf installation right decision , stated players love it, , think surface offer better product on field fans.

local soccer fans concerned lack of natural grass field hinder seattle s chances of receiving mls expansion franchise. asserted voters had approved facility understanding new stadium intended soccer football. in compromise, first & goal agreed pay grass installed special events when needed.

there have been various opinions regarding both artificial surface , temporary grass surfaces used soccer matches. after brazilian national team defeated canada s side 3–2 in 2008, brazil s coach commented 1 reason team s unexpectedly poor performance loosely installed grass field. grenada national team struggled cope artificial surface during loss @ 2009 concacaf gold cup. in july 2009, u.s. soccer federation chose d.c. united s rfk stadium on centurylink field u.s. open cup. general manager of d.c. united speculated rfk s grass field 1 of reasons team had stronger bid. general manager of sounders, adrian hanauer, told seattle times in 2010 replacement of surface continuing conversation between sounders , allen s vulcan inc. when los angeles galaxy traveled seattle in may 2012, fieldturf noted 1 of reasons david beckham , robbie keane left out of line-up.

between august , november both seahawks , sounders fc host games @ centurylink field. each team has emphasized importance of playing games without other team s painted lines on field. around 2003, @ seahawks request, local company ecochemical developed field new kind of paint designed fail. new paint relatively easy remove power washer , special chemical solution, process company describes environmentally friendly. new paint, converting field between american football , soccer takes 14 hours in dry weather, though painting logos , other colors takes additional time.

a new turf field, using fieldturf revolution 360, installed in february 2016 ahead of 2016 sounders season.