Yankee Stadium set to host 17 NYCFC soccer games

BRONX (WABC) -- With Yankee Stadium now set to host 17 of NYCFC's home soccer games, the anticipation is that its fan base will grow along with the excitement.

"Now we got 20 minutes away from Port Chester, we got New York City, and I know people are going to the games," says Port Chester soccer club president Jose Perdomo.

Perdomo plans to bring 2 of 22 teams to each of the home games - about 24 young players and their parents to see each game. He plans to put all of them on a New Haven Line Metro North train as they head to the game.

"I think it's going to be better because I know the parking is going to be expensive," Perdomo adds.

For now, Metro North does not plan to offer direct train service on the New Haven and Harlem lines to stadium soccer games as it does for some baseball games. There is direct train service from the Hudson Line. What fans can still do is take the train to 125th Street in Harlem, and transfer to special shuttles to the stadium station. Additional shuttles will be provided.

Engie Kock plans to attend some of the games.

"It's just the beginning, but let's give everybody an opportunity to try out what they have and if it doesn't work then you do the adjustment," said Kock.

Planning to monitor the first several games, Metro North officials say, "if enough fans take the train to the game, we can amend our schedule to provide direct trains from the Hudson and New Haven Line in the future."

Reportedly 35,000 tickets have been sold, and the excitement is building.

"I can say there will be more than 35,000 people there," Perdomo adds.