May The Force Be With Red Bulls Home Game Sat. May 6, 2023

Soccer fans are looking forward to an exciting match between the New York Red Bulls and the Philadelphia Union soccer teams. The game, scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, will be held at the Red Bulls Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, and is expected to draw a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters. It is Star Wars Night and the first 7500 fans will get a free Luqui Skywalker Bobblehead. The Harrison Police Department (HPD) has issued a Traffic Bulletin for the game. There is more information on the HPD bulletin below.

The New York Red Bulls, who have been struggling of late, will have a Home field advantage at the Red Bulls Arena, located in Harrison, NJ.  The stadium has a seating capacity of 25,000.  It is expected that around 15,000 fans will be in attendance when the game starts. 

Severity of MLS Punishment Controversy

On April 8, 2023, Red Bulls soccer player Dante Vanzeir yelled what was termed a “racial slur” during the Red Bulls versus San Jose Earthquake game at the Red Bull Arena. The Major League Soccer (MLS) league suspended and punished Dante Vanzeir but some fans believe that his suspension and punishment were too lenient and that the team's management should have imposed more severe penalties beyond those of the MLS. These fans argue that Vanzeir's actions were reprehensible and that he should have faced harsher consequences for his behavior. Despite the protests and calls for stricter punishments, the team's management has upheld the league's decision, and Vanzeir will have to serve his suspension as per the MLS regulations. During the last Red Bulls Arena home game, fans attended the game and then left in protest of the light punishment for Dante Vanzeir when the game started. Fans of the Red Bulls are expected to turn out in large numbers to support their team this Saturday.

Philadelphia Union Makes Its Way Up the NJ Turnpike to Harrison

On the other side of the pitch, the Philadelphia Union soccer team will be the away team. The team is based in Chester, Pennsylvania a suburb of Philadelphia, and plays their home games at the Subaru Park. The stadium has a capacity of around 18,500 and is located on the banks of the Delaware River. The Philadelphia Union is owned by Keystone Sports and Entertainment, with Jay Sugarman as the majority owner and Kevin Durant as the minority owner.

The upcoming match between the Red Bulls and the Union has already garnered a lot of attention from fans, and even the local authorities have taken note. The Harrison Police Department has issued a traffic bulletin to inform residents and visitors of the expected traffic congestion in and around the Red Bulls Arena on the day of the match. Fans are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and to arrive early to avoid any delays. See the HPD Traffic bulletin for additional information for Town Residents and Attendees of the game.

The match between the New York Red Bulls and the Philadelphia Union is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. local time. Both teams will be looking to secure a win, and fans of both sides will be hoping for an exciting and memorable game. With such a high-profile match between two of the MLS's most popular teams, their respective fans will be looking for their team to improve their ranking with a win.

Tickets for the Red Bulls versus Union game are available on Ticketmaster. 

HPD Traffic Bulletin

The Harrison Police Department issued a Red Bull Arena Event Notice for the Red Bulls v. Philadelphia Union game. The estimated attendance at the Red Bull Arena is 12,500 fans.  Because of the Soccer game, additional traffic delays are expected in Harrison NJ, and the Ironbound Section of Newark NJ.

No Parking Signs will be posted in advance on streets surrounding the Red Bulls Arena.

During Red Bull Arena events Peter Higgins Blvd. is closed between Guyon Drive & Crucible Drive. starting at 8:00 a.m. and extending to 11:30 p.m.

Crucible Drive between So. Fifth Street and Peter Higgins Blvd will be closed from Noon to 11:30 p.m.

Riverbend Drive between Frank E. Rodgers Blvd and Peter B. Higgins Blvd will be closed from Noon to 11:30 p.m.

The Park Mobile App will deny any payment attempt for parking in streets designated No Parking.

The Harrison Police Department will also be enforcing restrictions on parking construction vehicles or equipment on the street surrounding the Red Bulls Arena.  Any vehicle in violation of towing restrictions will be ticketed and towed.

Resident Police Escorts

The Harrison Police Department will be providing Police Escorts for a resident who resides in the area surrounding the Red Bulls Arena and Path Station.  Police escorts will be available to all residents wishing to return to their homes during the egress of the event while Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South is closed. Staging for the escort will be located in the parking lot next to Seabra’s Grocery Store on Bergen Street next to Wendy's restaurant. The Harrison Police Department has provided a map outlining street closures and resident escort information.  The Harrison Police Department can be reached at 973 483-4100 or by email at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

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