For Saturday’s 7:00 PM match against the New England Revolution, the Red Bulls will honor Boston with a Moment of Reflection prior to the National Anthem, one of many ways in which New York and its fans will show support for the victims of this week's tragedy. The club also announced that it will donate its total net revenues from merchandise sales from Saturday’s match to The One Fund Boston (OneFundBoston.org).
"It's very reminiscent of 9/11, in the sense that 9/11, the world was - everybody was a New Yorker," said Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke after Friday's training session. "Now, after this happened, everybody's from Boston. It's true. And I expect that when they come here and the starting lineups are announced, they're out on the field, that we're going to give their players a nice round of applause."
Leading up to the match, the South Ward supporters - Empire Supporters, Garden State Ultras and Viking Army - will be marching into Red Bull Arena alongside the New England Revolution supporters, displaying the banner that they used during Wednesday's match (pictured above).
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing on TV, and still even this morning it seems like, almost unreal," said Thierry Henry. "I don't actually know what they're going through in terms of feeling, but like I said, our thoughts are with them, and especially playing against New England on the weekend and what already they have to go through with Kevin Alston. It wasn't an easy time for them and everyone in Boston, but it's going to be emotional. Just have to stick together I guess and pray for everyone in Boston."
The MLS Anthem, heard in Arenas throughout the league as players enter the pitch, will be replaced this Saturday by The Standells’ “Dirty Water," a song that has a direct tie to Boston sports, specifically played after every Red Sox victory at Fenway Park.
Additionally, the Red Bull Arena Color Guard will fly the Boston flag as part of the match procession.
