NYCFC players on first Stadium run: Thats some good grass

After several Yankees groused over New York City FC potentially tearing up their field, and concerns arose this past week about the already questionable conditions at Yankee Stadium, at least for Sundays home debut, those worries proved to be much ado about nothing.

NYCFC passed its first home test with a 2-0 win over New England, and the Yankee Stadium pitch passed its test with flying colors. No, it wasnt lush and green the way the Bombers would expect center field to be by midseason, but considering it was frozen a week ago and sod was still being put down midweek, it was an amazing turnaround.

Its the winter right now, so its just going to get better and better. If we keep winning on it, Im not going to have any problems with it, laughed Mix Diskerud.

Coach Jason Kreis said: This was a tremendous challenge that was placed in front of the groundskeepers here at Yankee Stadium in order to get the field prepared after all the very difficult weather weve had this winter. And for me it was fantastic. The fact they were able to put that together for us on such a short time, Im really pleased.

Photo: Ray Stubblebine

And its to understand their worries, with all the griping the Bombers had done, Mark Teixeira saying, Itll definitely cause an issue. Its terrible for a field. Grass, dirt, everything gets messed up.

But it sure didnt mess up David Villa, who had a goal and an assist and a dominant performance.

The pitch was fine today, Villa said. You have to bear in mind the cold weather weve had to endure the last month, and the team thats been working on it worked extremely hard. We should thank them for it and hopefully in the next few months with nicer weather the pitch will be in even better condition. As players we have to adapt on a weekly basis to the conditions. Id like to thank the team that worked on the pitch, because it was in a very good shape today.

Granted, there are 16 more MLS home dates, barring playoffs. But at least the first came off without a hitch. Sporting director Claudio Reyna admitting he breathed a sigh of relief.

Yes, I walked it on Friday and all I can say is credit to the Yankees ground crew, Reyna said. They did an amazing job. The coaches were pleased with it, the players were happy with it; amazing work by the Yankee grounds crew.

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NYCFC players on first Stadium run: Thats some good grass