New York City FC and Philadelphia Union dealt with a pitch intruder of the furry variety during a match at Subaru Park on Wednesday night.
A raccoon nicknamed “Raquinho” invaded the field during the first half of New York City FC’s 2-1 win over Union, delaying the game by approximately 161 seconds. According to MLS Communications.
The monster entered the field in the 21st minute, making his way into the New York CFC side’s penalty area, and then seemed to want to get involved in the action on the other side of the field, where New York took the throw-in.
Raquinho then trotted down the field to the opposite end before stadium staff attempted to corral the creature using empty garbage cans.
“You thought [Lionel] There was a pitch invader at Messi’s game,” former MLS player Karen Carr joked on an Apple TV+ broadcast.
The hilarious scenes continued when the raccoons returned to the other side of the field. The raccoon was surrounded by stadium staff desperately trying to catch him so the game could continue, and that’s where the real drama began.
“This is great entertainment,” commentator Callum Williams said as he narrated the surreal scenes.
“You almost escaped. Come on, Mr. Raccoon,” Williams continued. “He almost got away. He can get out. Don’t hurt him! They got it. They got a raccoon!”
The Union supporters section erupted into cheers as the raccoon was carted off the field in a trash can.
of Union said in a social media post. The animal was safely released late in the evening.
“Unofficially, Raquinho the Raccoon spent 161 seconds on the field tonight, the most by a raccoon in @MLS history,” MLS Communications posted on X.
NYCFC also enjoyed the absurdity and posted raccoon memes on social media.
Los Templardos, one of NYCFC’s supporter groups, shared another meme on Instagram of a raccoon holding up a New York City jersey.
NYCFC got a big win Wednesday night and will be heading into Game 1 of the Hudson River Derby when the Red Bulls come to Citi Field on Saturday.
Alonso Martinez put NYCFC ahead with a goal in the second minute, and Hannes Wolff extended the lead with a goal in the 45th minute.
Wednesday marked the first time this season that NYCFC has won back-to-back away games.
