Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. is committed to advancing field equipment with innovative solutions for multi-use sports facilities. At soccer venues across the U.S., site managers have taken notice to SSI’s newest soccer-related innovations — Portable International Soccer Goals and Skiddable Regulation Soccer Goals.
Portable International Soccer Goals are designed for elite multi-use stadiums that share the same field with other activities during the playing season. The mobility feature includes four wheels with through-bolt attachments and the rear net support poles are attached to the rear ground bar, whereas standard SSI International Soccer Goals are semi-permanent requiring ground sleeve insertion for the poles.
According to Terra Erickson, Great Lakes Sales Manager at SSI, Portable International Soccer Goals made their debut at the International Champions Cup at U.S. Bank Stadium’s August 2016 opening. “U.S. Bank Stadium does not only host professional soccer,” explained Erickson, “It is also home to the Minnesota Vikings and is a major concert and baseball venue for the Minneapolis area.” She added that the mobility feature was custom-engineered to accommodate the need for easy venue transformation.
More recently, Banc of California Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Football Club, included SSI’s Standard and Portable International Soccer Goals in their $350M construction upgrade. According to SSI West Sales Manager, Alex Fletcher, when complete, the club will feature a set of Portable International Goals at Banc of California Stadium, plus one set of ground sleeve inserted goals and a set of portable goals at their practice facility.
“West Coast soccer venues have embraced the new innovations made to our equipment,” said Fletcher. He explained that along with the Portable International Soccer Goals, SSI’s new skiddable feature for Regulation and Youth Soccer Goals have been a hit with high traffic multi-use venues including municipal parks and high schools.
“We just sold several pairs to the San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department,” Fletcher said. He explained that the appeal of the skiddable goal is its ability to be easily maneuvered on synthetic turf surfaces without the operator needing to lift the equipment. Skiddable Soccer Goals are constructed with a sturdy plate steal skid, which is welded to the goal’s end frame. A through-bolt handle is fixed to the back side of the frame for easier manipulation.
According to Fletcher, the response to SSI’s new soccer innovations has been extremely positive. “The development of Skiddable and Portable Soccer Goals are examples of what we do at Sportsfield Specialties – We listen to our customer’s needs and find ways to make equipment that works for those needs.”