On a blustery Sunday afternoon at Talen Energy Stadium, the Philadelphia Union fell, 1-0, to I-95 rival New York Red Bulls.
In the match featuring the two rivals, both teams had an extra gear with each tackle or 50/50 ball featuring an extra shove or jawing.
“It brings out the best in our players.” Union head coach Jim Curtin said about the rivalry with the Red Bulls. “I know that our players get up for games against the Red Bulls, especially at home.”
Right on the mark of halftime, the two teams, who had been trading rough foul after rough foul, erupted into a near-brawl when Red Bulls midfielder Kaku gestured to hit Alejandro Bedoya’s head with his knee.