NY Yankees & Mets Playoff Games Force NYCFC to Play At Red Bull Arena

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, New York City FC will take on FC Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m. at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. While NYCFC is officially the home team for this Major League Soccer (MLS) matchup, the venue poses a unique twist. The Red Bull Arena is typically home to NYCFC’s cross-river rivals, Harrison’s own the New York Red Bulls. NYCFC, however, is temporarily displaced from their usual home fields at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field due to scheduling conflicts, notably with the Major League Baseball playoffs. The Yankees and the Mets are utilizing their stadiums, leaving NYCFC with no choice but to head across the river for their upcoming match.

Due to the intense rivalry with the Red Bulls, NYCFC fans and players have long been reluctant to call Red Bull Arena their temporary home. The club is eagerly awaiting the completion of its stadium in Queens, New York, a development that will finally put an end to such logistical challenges.

Team Rankings

New York City FC enters this match ranked 5th in the MLS standings with a record of 12 wins, 11 losses, and 8 ties. They have shown resilience throughout the season, but they face a formidable opponent in FC Cincinnati, currently ranked 3rd in the league with an impressive 17 wins, 9 losses, and 5 ties. Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls, who are not involved in this match, hold the 6th spot in the standings with 10 wins, 7 losses, and 14 ties. This game will be crucial for both NYCFC and Cincinnati as they vie for higher playoff positions.

Traffic Advisory

Due to the match being held at Red Bull Arena, the Harrison Police Department is expected to issue a Traffic and Parking Bulletin to help manage the influx of fans traveling to and from the game. The area around the arena, located near South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard, often experiences significant congestion on game nights. Fans attending the match should be prepared for potential delays and are encouraged to use public transportation whenever possible to ease traffic flow.

The EPA plans to build a Toxic Sludge Plant at the PSE&G property with the support of Mayor James Fife and Councilman James Doran.  The property EPA proposes to use is directly in front of the Stadium two city blocks away.  There are concerns that if the Toxic Sludge gets airborne it will have serious health consequences for those near the plant. There are also concerns that the use of the property for at least 10 years will derail Harrison Redevelopment momentum which is on a role at the moment.

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