Harrison drivers face a busy stretch of stadium traffic this week as three professional soccer matches hit Sports Illustrated Stadium between Thursday, Aug. 6, and Sunday, Aug. 9.
New York City FC opens its Leagues Cup campaign against Mexico's Santos Laguna on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., according to the USA Today Leagues Cup schedule. NJ/NY Gotham FC hosts San Diego Wave FC on Friday, Aug. 7, at 8 p.m. The week closes with Cruz Azul facing NYCFC on Sunday, Aug. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Motorists should expect temporary congestion along South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard, Guyon Drive, Cape May Street and nearby roadways before kickoff and immediately after each match, according to YourHarrison.com.
The Harrison Police Department had not released a formal traffic advisory for the Leagues Cup matches as of the site's Tuesday, Aug. 4, publication.
The department has routinely issued traffic bulletins via Nixle for major stadium events. Harrison has previously documented overtime police staffing for traffic control, pedestrian safety and parking enforcement during stadium events, YourHarrison.com reported earlier this summer.
What's playing
The Leagues Cup pits 18 MLS clubs against 18 Liga MX teams in a summer tournament; the top three finishers earn berths in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. Thursday's match is available on Apple TV. Sunday's Cruz Azul game airs on FOX and Univision as well.
NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen previewed the tournament at a Wednesday press conference, Front Row Soccer reported, saying he recalled last year's matches as "very competitive from both sides" and that he is "looking forward to those types of games in this tournament."
Friday's Gotham FC contest features a Fan Fest beginning at 5:30 p.m., meaning foot and vehicle traffic near the stadium at 600 Cape May St. could build well before the 8 p.m. kickoff.
More to come
Harrison residents won't get a break the following week. NYCFC hosts Club Necaxa in another Leagues Cup Phase One match on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m., marking a third consecutive Thursday evening of stadium traffic.
Residents can follow the Harrison Police Department on X at @harrisonpdny or sign up for Nixle alerts for official traffic advisories as they are released.
