By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

It looks like there will be fans at Red Bulls home games at Red Bull Arena this season.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday on WFAN that any Jersey venue with 5,000 or more capacity for sports or entertainment will be allowed to have a certain number of fans.

That would be 10 percent capacity for indoor events and 15 percent for outdoor events.

Using the math, that would mean some 3,750 fans would be allowed for Red Bulls game. The Major League Soccer season is slated to kick off April 17.

“For both of those, everybody has to do the stuff we’re all used to these days: face coverings, social distancing, etc.,” Murphy said on WFAN. “If you buy tickets together you can sit together, but otherwise, you have to social distance, and God willing, this is the first step of what I hope is many more to come.”

Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League also call RBA home.

“It is very encouraging and exciting that Governor Phil Murphy has announced that New Jersey will allow a limited number of fans to attend sporting events,” Red Bulls general manager Marc de Granpre said in a statement.

“It is of utmost importance to ensure the health and safety of our fans, players and staff at Red Bull Arena. We will continue to work closely with both local and state health officials as we establish our protocols, beginning with the start of the 2021 Major League Soccer campaign.

“As always, Red Members will be given the highest priority as we look forward to welcoming back the best fans in sports to again enjoy the beautiful game at the greatest soccer venue in North America.”

Fans have not been allowed to view game at RBA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.