Red Bulls v CF Montreal Sun. March 8th 2026 Sports Illustrated

The New York Red Bulls will return to the pitch Sunday, March 8, 2026 in the afternoon when they host CF Montréal at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., an update from the previously scheduled 3:30 p.m. start time.

The Red Bulls enter the match with a 2-0-0 record (6 points) and early momentum in the Major League Soccer season. Montréal arrives still searching for its first points of the year at 0-2-0.

A Look at the Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls franchise traces its origins to 1995, when the club was founded as the MetroStars, one of the original teams of Major League Soccer. The club adopted the Red Bulls identity in 2006 after the purchase of the team by the Red Bull organization.

The team plays its home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium, located along the Passaic River in Harrison also known as the Riverbend District with modern luxury apartment buildings. Opened in 2010, the soccer-specific venue seats approximately 25,000 spectators and is widely regarded as one of the premier soccer stadiums in North America.

Toxic Sludge Plant Can Derail Sports Illustrated Stadium Games

A planned EPA Toxic Sludge Plant in a residential community, a mere three blocks from the Sports Illustrated Stadium, could affect the stadium and the residential community that has sprouted in the Town of Harrison, in what used to be a contaminated industrial landscape.  It took over 26 years to clean up the contaminated industrial remnants in the southern end of Harrison, and the EPA’s Toxic Sludge Plant may undo the progress made in the Town of Harrison.

Amenities at the Sports Illustrated Stadium include steeply raked seating that keeps fans close to the pitch, premium club areas, multiple supporter sections, including the well-known South Ward, and modern concessions and hospitality areas. The stadium, in addition to being the home stadium for the New York Red Bulls and NY/NY Gotham FC, also regularly hosts international matches (subject to limitations), concerts, and other sporting events.

Since moving into the Harrison stadium, the Red Bulls have built a strong home-field advantage. The club has recorded 101 clean sheets at home since 2010, the most in MLS during that span.

Montréal Club Background

CF Montréal represents the city of Montreal, Quebec, and was originally founded in 1993 as the Montreal Impact before joining Major League Soccer in 2012. The club rebranded to CF Montréal in 2021.

Montréal plays its home matches at Stade Saputo, a soccer-specific stadium located within Montreal’s Olympic Park complex. The stadium has a capacity of roughly 20,800 spectators and is known for its passionate supporters and intimate soccer atmosphere.

The Canadian club is still looking to find its scoring touch early in the 2026 season. Through two matches Montréal has yet to score a goal, making it one of only two teams in MLS still off the scoresheet.

Teenage Dream

The Red Bulls’ youth movement has already made history. Three teenagers ,Matthew Dos Santos (17), Adri Mehmeti (16), and Julian Hall (17) , combined for a match-winning goal earlier this season, marking the first time in MLS history that three players aged 17 or younger contributed to the same goal.

Hot Hand in Goal

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath recorded his first clean sheet with the club in the Red Bulls’ win over the New England Revolution. He now faces a Montréal attack that has yet to score in 2026.

Hall’s Historic Start

Seventeen-year-old Julian Hall has been one of the league’s breakout players early this season, scoring three goals in two matches. The Manhattan native became the youngest player in MLS history to score in each of his club’s first two matches of a season.

Hall’s first professional goal came against Montréal, when he became the youngest scorer in franchise history at 16 years and 87 days old.

Match Day In Harrison

With the Red Bulls undefeated and the weather beginning to warm as spring approaches, Sunday’s match is expected to draw a strong crowd to the Harrison waterfront stadium.

Fans attending the match should plan for the 4:30 p.m. kickoff, one hour later than originally scheduled.

For the Red Bulls, the matchup represents an opportunity to remain perfect in the young MLS season. For Montréal, it may be a chance to finally break through offensively and spoil New York’s early momentum.

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