Word is out:

South Ward in Red Bull Arena will look a but empty for the start of Sunday's home opener vs rival #DCUnited thanks to an #ESC protest #RBNY — Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) March 20, 2015

Empire Supporters Club has emailed its membership to advise of a planned protest for RBNY's home opener on Sunday. Absent a public statement from ESC, details have been leaking out to those who glance at #RBNY on Twitter.

Showing up late to a game, that's some statement. Really blends in with the 75% of the crowd who are showing up on time. #RBNY — Matt Kremkau (@mattkremkau) March 20, 2015

Section 101 in Red Bull Arena will be quiet for the first twelve minutes of Sunday's home opener, Once a Metro has learned

ESC, the oldest MetroStars/RBNY supporters' group, will not be in their seats for the beginning of the match as a protest against the firing of head coach Mike Petke this offseason. Petke played 169 regular season matches for the MetroStars/Red Bulls, wearing the number 12 during his on-field tenure with the team; as head coach, he guided the team to their first ever trophy by winning the Supporters Shield in 2013.

For the protest, ESC will conduct a march around the main concourse of the stadium chanting support for Mike Petke, before returning to section 101.

The group's intention is that there will be no singing in section 101 until the protest has concluded.