ไทย
English
中國人
Most MLS matches typically involve just two teams and a referee on the pitch each week; however, a handful of unexpected visitors have joined the action in recent years, and particularly this season.
On Saturday evening, a squirrel scurried onto the field during FC Cincinnati's 3–3 tie with Charlotte FC, briefly halting play and drawing cheers from the crowd as it ran across the pitch and eventually disappeared down the players' tunnel.
The unusual incident prompted a baffled head shake from Charlotte head coach Dean Smith, who is originally from West Bromwich, England and was perhaps puzzled by the peculiar nature of American wildlife and its unexpected role in MLS.
We've got a pitch invader 🐿️ pic.twitter.com/GK21rQdmwF
Nicknamed "Squirrelinho" by fans online, the critter is merely the latest in a growing list of unusual, non-soccer-related moments that have captured the attention of MLS and its supporters during matches recently.
Here, Sports Illustrated takes a trip down memory lane.
Remembering "Raquinho"
RACCOON ON THE FIELD!!!
MIDWEEK @MLS AT ITS FINEST pic.twitter.com/tO8AJUrkJw
Perhaps the most well-known wildlife appearance on an MLS pitch involves a raccoon. One of the most prevalent urban animals across the United States and Canada, the creature has found its way into multiple MLS matches.
Two years back, one stole the spotlight and was given the nickname "Raquinho" following a dramatic chase around the Philadelphia Union's pitch, which ultimately saw groundskeepers Mark Mello and Ryan Haines sprinting with a garbage can to capture the animal for removal.
"We promise you that you are not watching the nature channel right now," play-by-play commentator Calum Williams said on the Apple TV broadcast, laughing through his commentary: "We're told that pest control is on the way to remove a rather adventurous raccoon from the field."
The Union also experienced another animal encounter in 2023 when a Concacaf Champions Cup match had to be paused in the 68th minute after a dog chased the ball and punctured it with a bite.
Was this on your bingo card?
Yeah the @PhilaUnion is a good team and all, but this doggo is even better 🐶⚽️ pic.twitter.com/cK882huibw
D.C. United's Raccoon, Real Salt Lake's Cat, Vancouver's Mouse
Other MLS clubs have had their own encounters with animals as well. D.C. United's former venue, RFK Stadium, was notorious for frequent wildlife interactions. Raccoons actually established a more permanent residence in the ceiling, only discovered after a dark liquid began dripping from the roof, according to a report by The Athletic.
D.C. United eventually embraced their furry residents, dubbing the group "Ronnie Raccoon," and even produced plush toys, which were distributed to players at the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. To this day, Ronnie Raccoon serves as the club's secondary mascot.
Real Salt Lake's America First Park also had a raccoon living above the press box roof, which emerged mid-game to the shock of journalists in 2022. Three years earlier, a cat had sprinted across the field before play was stopped during a Leagues Cup match against Tigres UANL.
Last season, Austin FC's Brad Stuver picked up a mouse from the pitch at BC Place during an away match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, a stadium that frequently sees pigeons flying around inside.
Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver just CAUGHT A MOUSE ON THE FIELD in Vancouver
I love this league. pic.twitter.com/oh85oVvvmq
What About the Babies?
A baby got on the field during Minnesota United's win in San Jose 😭 pic.twitter.com/VRUXRO8SFs
While the animal appearances generate plenty of laughs, there have certainly been some worried parents throughout MLS over the past few years as well.
Last season, a security guard rushed onto the field after a child wandered onto the pitch during D.C. United's match against the Chicago Fire, and just weeks ago, a baby toddled onto PayPal Park's pitch while the San Jose Earthquakes faced Minnesota United.
Baby on the field! 😂 pic.twitter.com/68tDmyt0Jo
With 30 clubs across the league as the world's largest top-flight division, there's always something exciting happening in MLS—and sometimes it has nothing to do with the players themselves.