"It's a great opportunity for us to use this game as a showcase for our stadium and our city," Simmons said.
The turf vs. grass debate has been a controversial one for USA Soccer recently. The United States lost to Honduras, 3-1, last month in World Cup qualifying in a game that was played on artificial turf in Saprissa Stadium in Honduras. Two days after the loss, American coach Bob Bradley called on the sport's governing body, FIFA, to ban artificial turf.
"The field is terrible, and FIFA should not allow artificial surfaces," Bradley said. "They should have some courage. They should stop it. It's no good for the players, and somehow I hope the players have the ability around the world to stand up and say we're not playing on this, plain and simple."
