Soccer players test out new field at Levi's Stadium

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- A big test for the new turf at Levi's Stadium will happen on Saturday at a sold out soccer match between Mexico and Chile. On Friday players got their chance to test the field.

The field has gone through a complete overhaul from the type of grass being used to the soil mixture beneath it.

"It feels only just hard, but I mean it's not slippery," said Goalkeeper Moises Munoz.

Munoz and his teammates were the first athletes to test out the new turf at Levi's Stadium. SKY7HD was overhead when team Mexico wrapped up practice. The turf was installed just last weekend. The seams are still visible and it's already brown in spots.

"I mean it's supposed to be a little bit softer to get a better feel in the ball and in the game, but it doesn't really matter what the field is for tomorrow night. What is important is that we want to win," said Munoz.

49ers fans, who aren't necessarily soccer fans, plan to watch Mexico vs. Chile Saturday. They want to see if the turf holds up.

"Making sure they're not falling, making sure they're no clumps coming out when they go for a kick, you know and like just making sure that everything is just fine," 49ers fan Gentry Alexander said.

The turf began falling apart after the 49ers opening pre-season game on August 17th. The field was quickly ripped out and replaced with temporary sod. The team says the problem was the sand base underneath the grass. The field is now in its third incarnation. The team adjusted the composition of the base and switched to a different type of grass -- from the much-hyped Bermuda grass to the same kind that had been used at candlestick. The hope is that this newly installed turf will last through the season. Fans are keeping their fingers crossed.

"You don't want to have something where a knee blows out and it being costly to your team's welfare," 49ers fan Erik Kuhre said.

"I mean you've got to have a good surface, a good playing surface for the ball players so that's important," 49ers fan Richard Priola said.

And it is important for the 49ers, important to put this embarrassing chapter behind them.