Philadelphia Union physio sent off after bizarre altercation with NYCFC players

You certainly don’t see this everyday

Philadelphia Union physio Paul Rushing was bizarrely sent off during the club’s MLS clash against New York City FC on Sunday night.

He received his marching orders in the 79th minute from referee Armando Villarreal after an altercation with a number of NYCFC players while he was treating Union attacker Julian Carranza, who was injured and down on the ground.

Here’s the sequence that led to Paul Rushing being sent off.

pic.twitter.com/6T1Z3xUCYG

— Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) June 27, 2022

While it remains unclear what caused the commotion, Rushing proceeded to shove Nicolas Acevedo in the chest before the pair exchanged verbals with each other.

Rushing was ordered off the pitch by his own club’s players, but the referee then pulled a red card out of his pocket and sent off the Philadelphia Union physio.

Philly Union head athletic trainer Paul Rushing picked up a red card. In all my years covering the league I don’t think I’ve seen it 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/3jo8W32yEm

— Stu Holden (@stuholden) June 27, 2022

The home side were leading 1-0 when Rushing received his marching orders, with Jim Curtin’s side having taken the lead through Mikael Uhre’s strike in the ninth minute.

However, City – who recently lost manager Ronny Deila to Belgian club Standard Liège – hit back and levelled proceedings courtesy of Valentín Castellanos.

It appeared as though the game was heading for a draw before substitute Cory Burke scored a dramatic winner in added time to move Philadelphia two points clear of their opponents at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference.

Tight at the top of the table

Despite this, NYCFC – who have won eight of their opening 15 matches – do have a game in hand over Philadelphia and can return to the top of the table if they win that game.

New York City face off against FC Cincinnati in their next outing, while Philadelphia Union travel to Chicago Fire FC.