Cat Interrupts Play, Causes Disruption During RSL, Tigres Match
Jul 25, 2019, 4:36 PM | Updated: 4:54 pm
(Courtesy ESPN)
(Courtesy ESPN)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A cat, yes a cat, interrupted play in the 92nd minute of Real Salt Lake’s match against Tigres UANL in the quarter finals of the Leagues Cup.
French international, André-Pierre Gignac was running onto a ball towards the west sideline during stoppage time, when a cat randomly appeared. It was remarkable. It seemed as though as soon as he controlled the football and put his right boot onto the ball, a cat randomly appeared from no where.
Fortunately the cat was okay as it scattered around the pitch, evading the ball and players with its “cat-like reflexes and agility.”
A cat ran onto the field during Real Salt Lake's game Wednesday. Yes, a cat#MorningLinks by @ryanwmcdonaldhttps://t.co/AEKigawfPf pic.twitter.com/OwoowbuP2p
— Deseret News Sports (@desnewssports) July 25, 2019
The crowd erupted, seemingly elated that a cat had disrupted play despite the fact that RSL were in desperate need of an equalizing goal.
It was a game that did not go the home crowds way as Tigres eventually beat RSL 1-0 after Eduardo Vargas deflected strike from thirty yards found the back of the net in the 57th minute. However, just when you thought the game could not get any more entertaining, a cat somehow found its way onto the pitch.
EVERYONE THERE IS A CAT ON THE PITCH! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/qGxp8oCYlj
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 25, 2019
This is not the first time an animal has made its way onto the pitch during an RSL game at Rio Tinto Stadium. Last year a duck found its way onto the pitch, disrupting play for a few minutes during Real Salt Lake’s 6-2 onslaught of the LA Galaxy on September 1st, 2018.
THIS IS NOT A DRILL. A CAT IS ON THE FIELD.
— RSL Soapbox (@rslsoapbox) July 25, 2019
Cleat ‘N Claws Comparison
Besides the start, where he jumped right at the ball, the cat did show some electrifying speed and agility, utilizing its catlike reflexes (are they catlike if its already a cat?) to ignite the crowd.
Once it made an impact, it scattered right off the pitch, as any scaredy-cat would. Though its time was brief, the cat’s impact on the game was monumental.
The #RSLcat was one of the better defenders of the night. @realsaltlake #rsltid
— Jenn Sparks (@JSparksPhotos) July 25, 2019
There may be some truth to that. As the heat map below indicates, put together by MLS’s director of digital content, Mark McClure, the cat was able to cover a large amount of ground in a short time. The cat really was the quickest player on the pitch the whole night.
It must have just loved the grass on its paws, as well. That pitch is like a carpet. It certainly looks like one from afar. Even calling McClure’s map a “heat” map is unfair, as the cat’s path was more likely a “trek” of luxury. Trek being the key word, in honor of Utah’s Pioneer Day, when Brigham Young and his band of travelers decided the Salt Lake Valley was the place to stay after having trekked across the plains.
RSL Cat heatmap. Likes to stay wide and deep. pic.twitter.com/UtQ7U7BcSu
— Mark McClure (@mrkmcclr) July 25, 2019
A cat is not know to defend crossovers. However, much like Justen Glad, the cat used it’s speed to get out in front of the Tigres’ André-Pierre Gignac and became the last man on the line to defend and keep RSL within 1 goal.
It was the best crossover of the game.
Just watched a player crossover a cat… then was out-sprinted by said cat. And I thought I had seen it all. #RSL #LeaguesCup
— Meg Van Dyk (@MegVanDyk1) July 25, 2019
It’s difficult to see whether the ball travelled between the legs of the cat or not. Regardless, the concentration from Gignac to pretend the cat was not there – and to display his own cat-like reflexes – may be a reason as to why he’s had such an illustrious career.
Gignac just megged the cat. I’ve seen it all. #RSL #LeaguesCup
— Taran Meyer (@TaranMeyer0) July 25, 2019
Did Gignac nutmeg the cat, Taran? I didn’t have my binoculars. You probably had a better view than me.
We have a stray cat problem. Field crew finds cat poop on the field almost every day. Pretty much impossible to keep them out.
— The Riot (@OfficialRSLriot) July 25, 2019
Here’s how the cat got onto the ground. It likely had dinner sometime around 7 p.m. By the time dinner was done – how long does it take for a cat to eat? – it was probably around 7:30 p.m. Down for a quick catnap, then realized it still had more energy to burn. After exploring some neighboring households that didn’t offer much, the cat simply followed the bright lights.
Next thing it knows, its in the spotlight with 15,000 fans and making national news. It’s a lot for a house cat to handle – and how do we know it’s a house cat? It’s clearly been to the vet, as it’s fur looks soft and cuddly. It also looked like it hadn’t missed a meal in some time.
It came from the Tigres bench. Probably their ‘travel’ mascot.
— Jeremiah Spradlin (@RCB_frog) July 25, 2019
Can we adopt this cat? 🐈 pic.twitter.com/8eXQcaxQZC
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 25, 2019
Mike Petke did talk about the incident after the game. He questioned referee John Pitti for allowing Gignac a shot on goal, 12 seconds after the cat first appeared, before calling interference rather than a goal kick for RSL.
There were a minimum of four minutes of added time. It took a full minute to sort out the cat, yet Pitti blew the final whistle at the minimum of four minutes.
After the whistle, players were upset for the game to end so suddenly. Petke was pulling his players back and sending them to the locker room. Pitti must have thought that Petke was talking to him when he was actually talking to his player, and consequently issued the coach a red card for his actions.
Really, the cat exposed the match's fatal weakness: the referee at no time had control of the match. When the near-friendly nature of the affair wore off, it imploded.
— RSL Soapbox (@rslsoapbox) July 25, 2019
Cat vs. Quack
Just nine months ago, an animal made headlines in another high-profile match, when RSL took on the LA Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium. Around the 29th minute, a wandering duck took the pitch and caused a stir by walking around and forcing the grounds crew (and some of the players) to chase him down.
The duck’s invasion of the game caused a fire on social media, leading to a name for the duck and a Twitter profile – Albert Rusquack the RSL Duck – named for RSL midfielder Albert Rusnák.
The cat’s appearance in Wednesday’s game looks to have ruffled some feathers of Albert Rusquack, who had a simple response to the feline’s display.
“Stupid cat,” the profile tweeted.
Could there possibly be some jealousy?
You are still our #1 pitch invader @DuckRsl 💚
— RTS Grounds Crew (@RTS_Grounds) July 25, 2019
More like a scardy cat
— Albert Rusquack the RSL 🦆 (@DuckRsl) July 25, 2019
We'll be stopping by the cats house later to give him a piece of our feathery minds.
— Albert Rusquack the RSL 🦆 (@DuckRsl) July 25, 2019
First the Rio Tinto duck. Now the cat. The wildlife academy is paying off. (Check out the closing speed! Shuts down the attack with ease.) #RSL pic.twitter.com/erFNayZ25x
— Mark McClure (@mrkmcclr) July 25, 2019
With Utah’s array of both domestic and wild animals, one wonders what else might find its way to Rio Tinto.
First RSL has the duck, now the cat, I am worried for what comes next!
— Jared Dain (@greatdain1) July 25, 2019
Who would win, the RSL Cat or last year’s RSL Duck?
Major League Soccer got into the fun, as well. They created FIFA cards for both the RSL Cat and RSL Duck, giving the cat the advantage in pace, shooting, passing, defense and physicality. The duck – Alfred – took the advantage in just dribbling abilities.
You can only sign one. Who ya got: 🐈 or 🦆? pic.twitter.com/jAe5Ztgi7Z
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 25, 2019
The post generated several reactions on social media. Many noted the intangibles a duck brings to the pitch. Although Alfred waddled, the duck does have the power of flight, and likely better field vision. Right?
Cat just runs into play, Duck has great vision.
— Nick Watanabe (@watanabe2k) July 25, 2019
— Christopher Blewett (@Blewett17) July 25, 2019
The cat is starting XI, duck is clearly depth
— Natty (@NattyBDC) July 25, 2019
But under current MLS rules, RSL would have MLS priority for #RSLcat as a discovery player if he signed with MLS, right? So any other MLS club would have to trade with RSL for the cat’s rights first?
— Scott Boone (@Writerinlaw) July 25, 2019
I will go with the cat if I can change him to the central defence.
— Alex (@mAlejandro9876) July 25, 2019
Duck… my kid is allergic to cats.
— Eddie Felker (@eddiefelker) July 25, 2019
Duck wouldn’t make it in USL. Cat has sparks of talent 😤
— Colin (@c_toro5) July 25, 2019
A Minnesota United FC fan reminded the duck was not an idea original to Salt Lake. They had a similar incident in 2015.
*AHEM* https://t.co/dbRo0niyhQ
— Dark Clouds ☁🏳️🌈 #DCMN (@MNDarkClouds) July 25, 2019
Ultimately, all the talent in the world doesn’t mean a thing if you can’t get the player to sign with the team. The duck may be a better option, due to difficult contract negotiations known to exist with cat-kind.
