US Soccer v. Korea Republic Sat. 9/6/25 @Sports Illustrated Stadium

This Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 5 p.m. Eastern, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will host the Korea Republic in an international friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The match, part of the September international window, is organized by U.S. Soccer as the national federation and serves as a critical tune-up for next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host.

High Stakes, High Quality

For the USMNT, these friendly matches against tough Asian opposition are more than exhibitions—they’re vital opportunities to refine tactics, build team cohesion, and assess depth under real match pressure. The squad faces South Korea on September 6, followed by a second showing against Japan on September 9 in Columbus, Ohio.

South Korea, ranked 23rd by FIFA, arrives under “Taegeuk Warriors” manager Hong Myung-bo, sporting disciplined formations and a roster featuring stars like goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, defender Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, and prolific forward Son Heung-min, now starring at LAFC.

Who’s Behind the Games—and What’s Next

U.S. Soccer, the official governing body, organizes these friendlies as part of its broader strategic plan leading into the 2026 World Cup. These matches help calibrate lineups, test tactical flexibility, and expose players to intense, meaningful competition ahead of the global stage.

Following the South Korea match, the USMNT will continue with another friendly—against Japan—on September 9, providing back-to-back high-caliber challenges before the end of the international window.

Expect Traffic Alerts from Harrison PD

Given the crowd draw at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, local authorities are preparing. The Harrison Police Department is expected to release a Traffic and Parking Bulletin advising on road closures, parking restrictions, and information on police escorts for residents living near South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard, Cape May Street, and the Riverbend District to navigate game-day congestion.

Hometown Heroes: Harrison & Kearny Legends

The Harrison–Kearny area has long been a cradle of American soccer, producing several national team standouts across the decades:

• Tony Meola (Kearny) – Iconic goalkeeper of the 1990s, Meola was the USMNT’s starter at the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups. A Kearny High School star and two-sport athlete (briefly drafted by the New York Jets as a kicker), Meola went on to a long MLS career with the MetroStars and Kansas City Wizards. Inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.
• John Harkes (Kearny) – A dynamic midfielder who represented the U.S. at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and was the first American to play in the English Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday.
• Tab Ramos (Kearny) – A gifted playmaker who starred in the 1990, 1994, and 1998 World Cups. Ramos was the first player ever signed to MLS and became a foundational figure for the MetroStars (now Red Bulls).
• David D’Errico (Harrison) – Capped 21 times for the USMNT in the 1970s, D’Errico was a defensive leader and longtime professional in the NASL.
• Fred Shields (Harrison) – A 1936 U.S. Olympian and Hall of Fame inductee, Shields was both a player and referee whose influence extended far beyond the pitch.

⚽ The Kearny Connection

The 1990s marked a golden era for Kearny soccer when three childhood friends—Tony Meola, John Harkes, and Tab Ramos—all rose from the same New Jersey streets to represent the United States at the World Cup.

• They were dubbed the “Kearny Connection” by national media.
• All three played at Kearny High School, honing their skills in local parks, including the Harrison Courts next to the Harrison Public Library and Veterans’ Plaza, when today’s turf was black asphalt back in the 80s and 90s.
• Together, they brought unprecedented visibility to American soccer, symbolizing how a small Hudson County town could produce world-class talent.

Their story remains a point of pride for Harrison and Kearny residents—and a reminder that West Hudson has always punched far above its weight in shaping U.S. soccer history.

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