JUST FOR KICKS

It’s not often that a new sports stadium opens around here and everyday fans can afford to attend, which makes the opening of the state-of-the-art Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, notable. The soccer-specific stadium has been delayed by everything from financing to environmental concerns, but now the new home of the New York Red Bulls (formerly the MetroStars), which opened March 20, features a full schedule of Major League Soccer and other events. The European-style translucent roof allows for natural light and covers the seats—but not the field. The first row of seating is only 21 feet from the touchlines, and there is room for 25,000 fans, including 1,116 premium seats. Tonight, in their first regular season game, the Red Bulls host the Chicago Fire. Only 10 miles from NYC, the Arena is easily accessible by PATH, bus, train, or car.

Sat., March 27, 7:30 p.m., 2010