:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66259185/usa_today_10823802.0.jpg)
It’s CCL time once again at Red Bull Arena. The time when you see different clubs from different parts of the confederation taking on the home side for a chance at international cup glory. The road to CONCACAF glory will begin in late February.
But this time around it won’t be the team in red that will host the opening opponent at Red Bull Arena, this time around it will be New York City FC that has been forced to play in the state of New Jersey against Costa Rican side San Carlos.
The rumors were flying all over twitter that NYCFC was not going to play their opening CCL game at Yankee Stadium as the story was put out by MLS_Buzz, as the Sporting Director of San Carlos explained the situation to a local Costa Rican reporter.
San Carlos’ (NYCFC’s CCL opponent) Sporting Director, Gustavo Pérez, says #NYCFC will play their home CCL match at Red Bull Arena
— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) February 5, 2020
Pérez: “They wanted to avoid playing there because of the rivalry they have with Red Bull, but in the end they had no choice.”https://t.co/gJjdl9sLAc
Every time there is a mid-week home game for NYCFC in MLS play, that game will be played at Yankee Stadium that fits the Yankees Schedule. But if there is a Yankees rainout or a US Open Cup home game to be played, then it becomes an issue to schedule and plays at an alternative site.
They have played at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Connecticut, Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University in Queens, now they will call Red Bull Arena home in Harrison, New Jersey as you would think this is an ultimate embarrassment for the other New York City MLS team as this situation is due to the standards of having a soccer stadium from CONCACAF.
The only time you have seen two teams playing in the same stadium in Europe, of course, is AC Milan & Inter Milan at the San Siro, also in the NFL the New York Giants and Jets share Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, but because NYCFC wants to be known as an NYC Proper team this situation has blown up in their faces again.
I don’t understand why they couldn’t play at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees home opener is on Thursday, April 2nd against the Toronto Blue Jays, but once again not having a soccer-specific stadium inside the five boroughs is a huge problem.
But as of right now that problem continues to be a glaring one, but not for the New York Red Bulls, as they are probably getting a good piece of the bill from their rivals to use their home stadium. Let’s hope the team in Red can qualify and host the tournament in 2021.