Landon Donovan, the former soccer star, groaned as if he’d been kicked in the shin.
Donovan was in La Jolla last winter, supporting the “SoccerCity” plan at a news conference.
He didn’t say much, deferring to colleagues as they answered wonky questions. However, when someone asked about the playing surface at the sketched multi-use stadium, Donovan stirred in the back of the room.
“Grass,” he said, loudly, echoing colleague Nick Stone’s reply.
The groan came later, conveying Donovan’s distaste for playing soccer on synthetic turf.
Be assured, Stone said, if a Major League Soccer team is planted in Mission Valley, the soccer will be played on grass.