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MLS raccoon update: Was it safely released after stealing show at game in Philadelphia?

safid deen, usa today
·2-min read
A raccoon runs on the field during the game between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC at Subaru Park.
A raccoon runs on the field during the game between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC at Subaru Park.

A Major League Soccer game was paused for several minutes Wednesday night after a raccoon stormed the field.

The raccoon ran up and down the field at Subaru Park during the game between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, evading several stadium workers who were using trash cans and other objects to try and catch it.

NFL schedule release? NBA and NHL playoffs? No, this was the most entertaining thing in sports on Wednesday night.

“This is marvelous entertainment,” MLS play-by-play announcer Callum Williams said during the game.

“At what point are we just rooting for him,” former MLS player Calen Carr, also on the call, responded.

The MLS public relations X account playfully named the raccoon "Raquinho" in a post.

“Raquinho the Raccoon spent 161 seconds on the field tonight, which was the most by a raccoon in @MLS history.”

Even MLS commentator Taylor Twellman, calling Orlando-Inter Miami without Lionel Messi, advised viewers to switch over to the Philly game to see the raccoon because his “phone was blowing up.”

Players from both teams looked on by their benches during the stoppage, standing still and away from the raccoon’s path, captivated by the scene just like the fans in attendance.

One stadium worker ultimately captured the raccoon by covering it with a trash can. At least 10 people surrounded the trash can, with six trying to use a poster board to turn the trash can over and keep the raccoon inside. A worker ran onto the field with another trash can to place on top of the raccoon to secure it. And two workers ran off the pitch with the raccoon in custody between the two trash cans.

“Go on raccoon. Very nearly got away. You can get out. Don’t hurt him!” Williams said narrating the sequence. “They got it” They got the raccoon!”

The raccoon was released safely after being taken off the stadium campus by Hoffman’s, a local pest control company and corporate sponsor of the Union, a team spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday night.

“Rest assured, our new friend was released unharmed,” the spokesperson said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Raccoon invades pitch in MLS game: Was it safely released? What we know