UFL Debuts in NYC Area, Competes with World Series

The UFL will debut in New York City's metropolitan area Thursday, though it's unclear who will notice.

The New York Sentinels (0-2) are set to play their first home game this season, when they host the California Redwoods (1-2) at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (7 PM ET). The contest will be played while the New York Yankees take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the World Series just a few miles away at Yankee Stadium (7:57 p.m. ET).

The UFL has had problems drawing fans on normal nights, without the stiff competition of a highly-anticipated World Series, pitting the defending champions (Phillies) against one of the country's most popular teams (Yankees).

In fact, the New York Giants -- a storied franchise with a loyal fanbase -- lost a TV ratings battle with the Yankees in a landslide last Sunday night, when their clash with the Arizona Cardinals went head-to-head with Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.

So, needless to say, it will be an uphill climb Thursday for the UFL, which has been mostly anonymous in its inaugural campaign.

The league moved the Sentinels' home game on Nov. 4, originally scheduled for Citi Field, to Hofstra's James M. Shuart Stadium. In addition, on Nov. 14 the Redwoods will host the Las Vegas Locos at San Jose State University's Spartan Stadium instead of AT&T Park, as previously scheduled.

The moves presumably are due to the four-team outfit's sparse attendance thus far. However, Thursday's contest remains at Giants Stadium, where the league will aim to fill some of the venue's 80,000 seats.

In that contest, the Sentinels look for the franchise's first win with a slew of new players on their roster. New York added punter Scott Player, defensive back Mattierral Richardson, linebacker Leon Williams, defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti and center Jason Murphy.

To make room on its roster, New York released defensive tackle Dan Davis, punter Aaron Horne, defensive back Trey Brown, offensive lineman Daniel Oliphant and linebacker Alfred Fincher.

It will be the second meeting between these teams this season, with the Redwoods posting their lone win of the campaign, a 24-7 victory on Oct. 17.