Red Bull Arena Prepares for a Soccer Weekend Jun. 24-25, 2023

The Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, is all set for an unforgettable weekend of soccer action, hosting back-to-back Major League Soccer (MLS) and National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) games. On Saturday, June 24, 2023, fans will witness the New York Red Bulls take on Atlanta United, followed by a clash between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

Major League Showdown: New York Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United

Kicking off the exhilarating weekend on Saturday is a fierce matchup between the New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United. The game starts at 7:30 p.m., promising a night of high-intensity soccer under the lights. The Red Bulls Arena will be celebrating Pride Night and there will be a Pride Sunglasses giveaway for the first 7,500 fans in attendance.

As per the current Major League Standings, Atlanta United is ranked #5, displaying their consistency and determination this season with 7 wins, 4 losses, and 8 ties.  The New York Red Bulls, although facing a few early season setbacks, have exhibited a streak of resilience and are hoping to clinch a vital victory at home to improve their standings.  The New York Red Bulls are ranked #13 with 4 wins, 7 losses, and 8 ties.

The Red Bull Arena, with a seating capacity of 25,000, is not anticipated to witness anywhere near a capacity crowd, due to expected rain but each team's dedicated fanbase will be on hand to support their squads. There is also a Unified Team pre-game which will help boost attendance. The Harrison Police Department is expected to issue a traffic bulletin to manage the increased flow in and around the stadium.

Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United, known for its passionate supporters, calls the Mercedes-Benz Stadium home. The massive, state-of-the-art venue in Atlanta, Georgia, boasts an astounding capacity of over 71,000 seats, although the venue has special curtains which block off sections to make the stadium more soccer specific reducing the seating to 32,000 or on specific sell-out games to 42,500 seats.

Unified Team Pre-Game

Although there were not a lot of details available online there is a New York Red Bulls v. Atlanta United Unified Team game being held before the main event.  The New York Red Bulls Unified Team is set to take on the Atlanta United Unified Team. This unique match brings together the essence of unity and inclusivity in sports, as the unified teams showcase the talents of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

The Unified Team Concept

The Unified Team Concept, initially introduced by Special Olympics, promotes social inclusion by integrating athletes with intellectual disabilities and those without disabilities into the same team. By fostering collaboration, understanding, and respect, the unified team model aims to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities to participate in sports.

The MLS Unified Program

The Major League Soccer league has embraced the unified team concept, launching the MLS Unified Program. The program embodies the league's commitment to inclusivity, extending the reach of soccer to athletes with intellectual disabilities. Through partnerships with local Special Olympics chapters and other community organizations, MLS clubs form unified teams, comprising both athletes with and without disabilities.

Tickets for the Red Bulls v. Atlanta United FC are available on Ticketmaster

NWSL Showpiece: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Chicago Red Stars

On Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., the focus shifts to women's soccer as the NJ/NY Gotham FC faces off against the Chicago Red Stars. The current NWSL standings reveal that both teams are struggling to find a rhythm. 

NJ/NY Gotham FC is ranked #6 in the NWSL and has 5 wins 4 losses and 3 Ties.  Meanwhile, the Chicago Red Star is ranked #11 in the NWSL and has a record of 3 wins 8 losses, and 1 tie.  NJ/NY Gotham FC in its last five games has lost 2 games, tied 2 games, and won 1 game.  The Chicago Red Stars in their last five games have won 2 games and lost 3 games. Both teams have been showcasing their exceptional skills and team spirit throughout the season but as mentioned before they have been struggling to find a rhythm.  The desire to find that rhythm on both sides should provide a thrilling contest

Expected attendance for Sunday's game is going to be impacted by forecasted scattered showers. NJ/NY Gotham FC set a record attendance in its June 2, 2023 game against the San Diego Wave with over 15,000 fans in its home court the Red Bulls Arena. The match will commemorate Juneteenth and will serve as a FIFA Women’s World Cup sendoff. It is anticipated that there will be a smaller crowd at the game given the weather conditions of approximately 8,500 fans. Local authorities, including the Harrison Police Department, are preparing for another busy day of traffic management around the Red Bull Arena although a lot of NJ/NY Gotham FC’s fans come over on the Path Train to Harrison NJ which leaves them within walking distance of the Red Bull Arena.

Chicago’s SeatGeek Stadium

The Chicago Red Stars' home turf is SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, some 12 miles from Chicago, with 20,000 seats. The stadium is known for its spirited atmosphere during Red Stars matches, reflecting the team's strong fanbase and the city's passion for women's soccer.

This double-header weekend offers an opportunity for the Red Bull Arena to once again prove its standing as one of the most vibrant soccer venues in the country. As the sun sets over Harrison, New Jersey, on both Saturday and Sunday, the soccer stars will rise, and the beautiful game of soccer will take center stage.

Tickets for NJ/NY Gotham FC are available at Ticketmaster and SeatGeek.

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