TCF Bank Stadium Install Grass For Soccer Match

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The University of Minnesota's stadium is getting a grassy makeover in preparation for an international soccer match.

The university is covering the artificial turf in TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis with real grass for a Saturday match between England's Manchester City club and Greece's Olympiacos club. An assistant athletics director says it takes 30 trucks and 10,000 square yards of sod to do the job, which began Tuesday. The sod comes from a North Branch farm.

The match is part of the Guinness International Champions Cup tournament being played in the U.S. and Canada. A tournament spokesman tells the Star Tribune that running on real grass is better for players' legs.

The sod will be removed by Tuesday so the field can be painted before a Minnesota Vikings game.