The Best Kept Secret of New York Sports

The New York Red Bulls are 7-8-1 in MLS play. (David Spampinato: WFUV Sports)

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If you told a New York sports fan that there is a team within the New York City limits playing this summer that has 15 dollar parking with space to tailgate (and lenient rules), $15 tickets and reasonably priced food and drinks for a team in second place in the Eastern Conference, most would say, “where can I sign up!”

Eight miles west of Manhattan lies the home field of the New York Red Bulls, the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners (awarded to the team with the best record in the MLS). Some may remember the Red Bulls as the New York Metrostars playing in the Meadowlands with about 70,000 empty seats. However the Red Bulls have been proven winners for the past five years and play in a beautiful stadium which is a wonderfully intimate setting for a soccer match.

Red Bull Arena offers two exciting experiences. The first is an experience so unique to American sports. In sections 101, 102 and 133 behind the goal on the southern side of the stadium resides three fan groups known as “The South Ward.” The groups are not exclusive at all. The requirements are: buy a ticket, wear some red and be loud for all 90 minutes. Fans sing and cheer throughout the match, and when a goal is scored the Red Bull fanatics lose their minds in elation. While my perch is in the press box near midfield, I need to experience The South Ward for myself.

If you’re interested in a calmer family experience or maybe don’t have the energy to stand up singing for 90 minutes, the rest of the stadium provides that experience. And with affordable tickets, you don’t have to say no when your child keeps asking for a souvenir or a soda.

The next Red Bulls home game is July 10 against the reigning MLS Champions, the Portland Timbers. If you’re too amped up and can’t wait until then, the squad plays against cross town rival NYCFC at Yankee Stadium on July 3. It’s not nearly as authentic as the experience at Red Bull Arena but if you want to see the Red Bulls pick up a victory, it might be a game to check out. The Red Bulls blasted NYCFC 7-0 on May 21 in the Bronx.