Early Start For Red Bulls v. Orlando City Soccer Sat. Mar. 15, 2025

New York Red Bulls Set to Face Orlando City SC on March 15, 2025, With Early Start Impacting Traffic in Harrison, NJ

The New York Red Bulls will take on the Orlando City Soccer Club (SC) on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly Red Bull Arena) in Harrison, NJ. The early start time is expected to affect the local traffic patterns, especially on the morning of the game. Fans traveling to the match should prepare for potential congestion as game day approaches. At the time of publication, the Harrison Police Department has not issued a traffic bulletin, but residents are encouraged to plan accordingly.

A Look at Orlando City SC

Founded in 2010, Orlando City Soccer Club joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2015 and has become a competitive force in the Eastern Conference. The team is based out of sunny Orlando, Florida, and plays its home games at the Exploria Stadium, a soccer-specific venue located in downtown Orlando. The stadium, which is owned and operated by the club, seats 25,500 fans, making it one of the premier venues for soccer in the United States.

Interestingly, Exploria Stadium has a slightly larger seating capacity than Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls, which seats 25,000 fans. Despite the difference in size, both stadiums provide world-class facilities for soccer fans.

In July 2021, the Wilf family, which also owns the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), became the majority owners of Orlando City SC. The family took over management of the club and its National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) affiliate, Orlando Pride. The Wilf family also owns a real estate company, Garden Homes, and is actively involved in the operations of both the Orlando City SC and Exploria Stadium. Unlike the Red Bulls, who lease the land under their stadium, the Wilf family owns both the stadium and the property.

The prior owners, the DeVos family, remain involved with the team as Limited Partners.

New York Red Bulls: A Local Legacy

Founded in 1994 as the MetroStars, the New York Red Bulls joined Major League Soccer as one of the league’s original teams. The club rebranded in 2006, taking the name New York Red Bulls after being purchased by Red Bull GmbH. The team has since become a perennial contender in the MLS, with a legacy of strong performances in both the regular season and playoffs.

The Red Bulls play their home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly known as Red Bull Arena) in Harrison, NJ. Opened in 2010, the stadium offers a soccer-specific experience for fans and boasts a capacity of 25,000 seats. Though slightly smaller than Orlando’s Exploria Stadium, Sports Illustrated Stadium has become a top-tier destination for soccer fans in the New York metropolitan area.

The Red Bulls are known for their passionate fan base, the South Ward, which creates an electrifying atmosphere at every home match. Over the years, the team has produced top-tier talent and has consistently competed for MLS titles, with a long-standing rivalry with nearby New York City FC adding even more excitement to the local soccer scene.

A Clash of Two Eastern Conference Powerhouses

With Orlando City SC and New York Red Bulls both competing in MLS's Eastern Conference, this match is poised to be an exciting showdown. The early start time of 1:30 p.m. on March 15th could mean significant changes in the Saturday morning traffic patterns in Harrison, NJ. Fans should expect higher than usual traffic around Sports Illustrated Stadium as people begin to arrive early for the match.

At this time, no traffic bulletin has been issued by the Harrison Police Department, but fans are encouraged to leave early to avoid congestion.

Quick Facts:

Orlando City Soccer Club

• Founded: 2010
• MLS Membership: 2015
• Home Stadium: Exploria Stadium, Downtown Orlando, FL
• Stadium Capacity: 25,500
• Ownership: Wilf family (majority owners), DeVos family (Limited Partners)

New York Red Bulls

• Founded: 1994 (as MetroStars)
• MLS Membership: 1996
• Home Stadium: Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly Red Bull Arena), Harrison, NJ
• Stadium Capacity: 25,000
• Ownership: Red Bull GmbH

This Saturday's match promises to be an exciting clash between two formidable teams. As always, be prepared for the early start time and potential traffic disruptions around Sports Illustrated Stadium.

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