BMO Field: Groundskeeper confident in condition of grass

If Robert Heggie has his way, the headlines coming out of BMO Field would focus on on-field theatrics rather than the grass itself.

That hasn’t always been the case for the stadium’s head groundskeeper, whose task it is to keep the multi-use pitch playable for Toronto FC despite its other tenants, the Toronto Argonauts.

Heggie indirectly became a subplot in the Reds’ MLS Cup run last season after striker Sebastian Giovinco left multiple home playoff games with leg cramps, an issue he said hadn’t bothered him in years.

Following Toronto’s loss to the Seattle Sounders in the December final — decided on penalties while Giovinco watched from the sidelines — the forward suggested sandy field conditions played a part in his substitutions. The only thing he could see that had changed from previous healthy seasons was the shared pitch.

Heggie said this week he hopes last fall’s schedule was the worst he will ever see. Not only did BMO Field host four Major League Soccer games after October 26; it also held the Grey Cup on November 27, just three days before Toronto was crowned Eastern Conference Champions on home soil.

“There were a lot of unknowns,” Heggie said. “They didn’t think they’d have a (play-in) game, they didn’t think they’d have an Eastern Conference final game or an MLS Cup. That was a lot.”

Heggie said he always hopes there is something he can do to help any player like Giovinco struggling with the surface.

He was recently in England touring other multi-use pitches, like London’s Wembley Stadium, looking for takeaways.

Despite last season’s strenuous schedule, Heggie remains confident Toronto FC has some of the best grass in the world.

“It’s nice to go over there and see the other systems but it’s also nice to know we are doing good things over here,” he said.

Toronto had its first training session at the stadium on Wednesday. The grass earned solid reviews.

Giovinco was particularly sensitive to the field conditions last fall after missing much of the tail end of the regular season through injury.

“He probably wasn’t at peak fitness when it came down the stretch in terms of having to play overtime, having games that were pretty close together, having to play on a field that was a little bit heavier,” Vanney said.

“Sometimes when you’re in your top, peak physical form, then you can push through some of those things. It’s not necessarily as easy when you’re coming back from injury.”

Giovinco, who is also using hydration and diet in the hope of preventing cramping, said last week he is excited to “finally” get back to BMO Field.

Heggie hardly left. The groundskeeper’s busy off-season included bringing a new field in from a local greenhouse following the National Hockey League’s Centennial Classic in January and helping it grow in spite of the elements. The grass is not yet at its best.

“I’m a lot more confident in this season’s schedule. With what we’ve learned last year, I think the grass can only get better from here.” Laura Armstrong