Astroturf: The Chosen Surface of the Hearts of Pine

Very typical of the American soccer landscape, most matches are played on astroturf. This surface ranges from public parks in American towns up to the largest stadiums for professional and college sports. Despite the millions of dollars made my NFL teams, there is often little interest in transforming turf fields into grass ones. This is in sharp contrast to the exclusively grass field or “pitch” landscape of Europe. So much so, that clubs like Real Madrid have layers of grass underneath their stadium in order to ensure that a proper playing surface is always available.

Fitzpatrick Stadium prior to re-turf paid for by Hearts of Pine. The field no longer has the Portland Bulldog at center.

The benefits of astroturf are numerous. Easy upkeep compared to grass. The initial cost may be greater, however generally plastic always wears better than organic materials. This is especially apparent on a field which gets played on often. This is particularly why astroturf have developed popularity amongst school fields as it ensures a proper playing area even through heavy use. Considering that the Heart’s of Pine share a facility with Portland High School, ensuring the longevity of a playing surface through considerable use is crucial to the club. Furthermore, Maine is not known to support grass growing year round. The winters are incredibly harsh and usually lack adequate sunlight for growth. Add in piles of snow, and every blade is sure to be dead come spring. Considering the USL season starts in March, no grass field in Maine would ever be ready in time for soccer games. Most places in Europe do not have to endure the extreme weather found in Maine.

Astroturf appears to be a regular in any American athlete who grew up practicing on fields in their town. For Americans, it is nothing new. Considering that the majority of the Hearts of Pine roster is from the United States, there would be no adjustment to this surface despite it being more usual globally. Would these American players rather play on grass? Most likely. But, do they view astroturf as a significant hinderance to their game? Probably not.

The main legitimate claim against astroturf and its use in professional soccer is its increase in injury risk. On the less serious end, astroturf can lead to carpet burns, a phenomena which does not occur with grass. These friction rashes can be painful and are just generally unpleasant. On a more serious note, due to astroturf’s lower shock absorption compared to grass, non-contact lower body injuries are potentially more common. As a counter, an unkept grass field which could have rocks, bare spots, mud, and divots also increases the likelihood of non-contact injury. In the case of Maine and its environment, the astroturf provides a safer option. Considering the multi-functional use and location of Fitzpatrick stadium, astroturf is certainly the safest and best playing surface for the Hearts. However, as always this is a regular topic of discussion, especially as the USA gears up for the 2026 World Cup.