Jim Curtin blasts ‘little brother’ Red Bulls after Union’s latest win over New York
"When you’re the little brother, and you get beat up a lot, just know how to act," Curtin said after the Union extended their unbeaten streak over the Red Bulls to 11.
Union manager Jim Curtain did not hold back with his thoughts on the New York Red Bulls players' antics Tuesday.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
”I think for a team and a group to be in 21st place [in the Supporters’ Shield standings] — to talk and run their mouths as much as they do on the field … is something,” Curtin said. “Yeah, I’m giving bulletin board material, but I’ve kind of had enough of it.”
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The win extended the Union’s unbeaten streak against their Eastern Conference rivals to 11 games, a run that dates back to Sept. 22, 2019.
“I’m proud of my group for the way that they do their talking on the field — and have now 11 games in a row, almost five years [unbeaten] against Red Bull,” Curtin said.
”Just be a little humble,” Curtin said of New York. “When you’re the little brother, and you get beat up a lot, just know how to act.”
Curtin and Red Bulls interim manager Troy Lesesne spoke before Tuesday’s game about having a friendly relationship. Lesesne, who took over in May, described the Union’s manager as a mentor and role model whom he was trying to emulate.
After the victory against @NewYorkRedBulls, Jim Curtin reflected on the intense nature of the match-up.
(On a personal note, this is as fired up as I have seen Jim in quite some time.)
”I respect Jim Curtin more than you can understand for what his pathway has been toward leading a club in the fashion that he’s led them over the last 10 seasons,” Lesesne said Sunday.
Curtin maintained Tuesday that his comments had “nothing to do with Troy” and were directed primarily at the Red Bulls players.
”For any young kid and young player, I think you should have the self-awareness to know when to speak and when to be humble,” Curtin said.
Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin before a game against the New York Red Bulls in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Union Jakob Glesnes moves the ball on Red Bulls Peter Stroud during the second half of Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023. Union beats Red Bulls in Penalty kicks.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer / STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photograp
Union Jesús Bueno head the ball with Red Bulls Kyle Duncan during the second half of Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023. Union beats Red Bulls in Penalty kicks.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Union Julián Carranza and Red Bulls Andrés Reyes head the ball during the second half of Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023. Union beats Red Bulls in Penalty kicks.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer / STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photograp
Union Nathan Harriel celebrates his goal against Red Bulls goalie Carlos Miguel Coronel during the second half of Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023. Union beats Red Bulls in Penalty kicks.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer / STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photograp
Union Julián Carranza heads the ball with Red Bulls Sean Nealis during the first half of Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer / STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photograp
Philadelphia Union midfielder Dániel Gazdag keeps the ball in play in the first half against the New York Red Bulls in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff Photograp
Philadelphia Union forward Julián Carranza and New York Red Bulls defender Andrés Reyes try for the ball in the first half of the Leagues Cup Round of 16 at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff Photograp
Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner heads the ball toward the goal in the first half against the New York Red Bulls in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff Photograp
Philadelphia Union forward Julián Carranza moves the ball past New York Red Bulls defender Andrés Reyes in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff Photograp
Philadelphia Union midfielder Dániel Gazdag moves the ball past New York Red Bulls defender Sean Nealis in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff Photograp
Philadelphia Union defender Nathan Harriel heads the ball against the New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff Photograp
Union goalie Andre Blake blocks the penalty shot of Red Bulls Lewis Morgan the Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023. Union beats Red Bulls in Penalty kicks.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer / STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photograp
Union fans celebrates Nathan Harriel goal against the Red Bulls during the second half of Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023. Union beats Red Bulls in Penalty kicks.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer / STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photograp
Union Jesús Bueno celebrates his penalty kick win over Red Bulls goalie Carlos Miguel Coronel during the second half of Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023. Union beats Red Bulls in Penalty kicks.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer / STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photograp
Union Jesús Bueno celebrates his penalty kick win over Red Bulls goalie Carlos Miguel Coronel during the second half of Leagues Cup Match at Subaru Park in Chester, Tuesday August 8, 2023. Union beats Red Bulls in Penalty kicks.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer / STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photograp
Five yellow cards were issued in the game, all from the 75th minute on. Four of those warnings went to Union players, including one to Olivier Mbaizo on the bench.
After playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation, the Union won, 4-3, on penalty kicks Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, a midseason, World Cup-style tournament featuring teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX. Next up will be Liga MX side Querétaro on Friday (8 p.m., Apple TV).
The Union and Red Bulls will meet again in MLS play on Sept. 3 at Subaru Park.
