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There was definitely a crane-kick in there

What?!

Yesterday in Costa Rica, the Union played a not-so-friendly match (the puns write themselves sometimes) against Belen. And while we normally wouldn’t care about such meaningless soccer matches played on what looks like a high school field, this one is particularly noteworthy since Belen and local officials did their best impression of the Soviet Red Army hockey team by stopping play after things got a bit too heated.

YouTube video, posted on Belen’s WordPress webpage, shows a mild scrum at midfield between Union soldiers (looking regal in blue) and Belen players (looking like pussies in yellow). The video appears under a title that accuses the Union of playing “anti-football," or, as some would call it, soccer. – ducks -


Here is Belen’s official account of what happened, translated for readability and hysterics. We highlighted the fun parts: 

Encouraged by his staff and giving an indication that the Fair Play is not your forte, the U.S. team Philadelphia Union kicks and slaps concluded what was intended as a friendly against Bridgestone Bethlehem.

Just halfway through the first half when the team lost 2 invited by zero, an entry "wild" of an American on the wheel led to the brawl Bryan Vega (see video), which in a few seconds literally became a pitched battle. What most annoyed the Belemitas was the attitude of the coaching staff who, from the beginning, did not stop shouting insults not only the players but also Bethlehem referee and his assistants.The scene was so embarrassing that the local leaders decided to suspend the meeting.

"It was an immature attitude of the coach. From the beginning, they just treat us as stupid and officials. The players were dedicated to kicking and elbowing "Said the midfielder Jose Luis Lopez.

Table Heredia, without most of their holders, won the game with goals from Rodolfo Arnaez, of criminal defense and Alejandro Cordero.

 

Kicks. Slaps. Stupid Costa Ricans. Pitched battles. Elbowing. Awesome.

The Union, who were presumably too enraged to speak following this battle royal, declined comment to Philly.com’s Jonathan Tannenwald

Video of the melee is after the jump. Caution: VIOLENCE. Not really.

H/T to (@tl1889), via My Sports Rumors and The Brotherly Game