Jim Curtin has 'had enough' with Red Bulls antics in Leagues Cup triumph

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin was not a happy camper following his side's Leagues Cup triumph over rivals New York Red Bulls.

The Union clawed back later in the game after Red Bulls' Elias Manoel scored inside five minutes, with Nathan Harriel finding the equalizer with roughly minutes to go in regulation. Philadelphia went on to prevail in penalty kicks, 4-3, with Jesus Bueno converting the decisive kick.

The victory for Curtin's squad extended their unbeaten streak against Red Bulls to 11 games and propelled them to the 2023 Leagues Cup quarter-finals against Liga MX outfit Queretaro.

"I think Troy is a great young coach and he’s doing an incredible job with his team, I really do. And I think he deserves to be the head coach of that team," Curtin said of Red Bulls interim head coach Troy Lesesne.

However, Curtin's remark about winning 11 consecutive games against Red Bulls was a little off, as they've won eight and drawn three games - which makes the record 11 unbeaten instead of 11 won.

"But I will say – this has nothing to do with Troy – 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, to be beat here 11 times in a row by us, is something where, yeah, I'm giving bulletin-board material. But I've kind of had enough of it," Curtin added.

Curtin went on to explain that he was impressed with how his players carried themselves throughout the game.

"Credit to my guys for sticking together, pushing, winning again, finding ways to win. I'm proud of them. But for all the stuff they have to deal with on the field, off-the-ball nonsense ... bench players that come into the game and talk and run their mouths, it's just strange," Curtin said of his squad.

Although Curtin was unimpressed with how New York handled themselves during the game, he still has plenty of respect for them as competitors.

"I still respect them a ton, despite my first line there," said Curtin. "But all I'm talking [about] there is be a little humble. When you're the little brother and you get beat up a lot, just know how to act."

"For any young kid and any young player, I think you should have the self-awareness to know when to speak and when to be humble."

Curtin and his players will now prepare to take on Queretaro in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Leagues Cup on August 11 at Subaru Park. The two sides met previously in the group stage where the Union dominated the game winning 5-1.

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