MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by ANTHONY J. MERCED

A controversial handball call cost the New York Red Bulls some late momentum — and the cool of their head coach.

Jesse Marsch was ejected in the 90th minute, arguing with the fourth official over a called handball on Bradley Wright-Phillips. Afterwards, he grabbed a pair of balls, spiking one at the feet of Philadelphia Union boss Jim Curtain’s feet, and the other against the wall.

“I had to try to induce change in the referee somehow because he was basically calling every foul for the Union,” an angry Marsch said in his postgame press conference. “So … laughable.”

His frustrations were apparent throughout the game as New York lost the lead on two second half goals from Chris Pontius. “It was a case of mentality and not being up for the challenge in the second half, and thinking that because the first half was totally on our terms that the second half was going to be easy,” he said. “I tried to inform our team that in the second half Philly was going to pick it up, that they were going to get laid into by their coach because they got their butts whipped in the first half. And then they came out and whipped our butts in the second half.”

But the call on Bradley Wright-Phillips intensified that rage. As Wright-Phillips attempted to chest down a ball at the top of the opposition’s box, he was called for a handball, stifling New York’s momentum as they were attempting to equalize the game.

In response, Marsch lost it, apparently taking issue with the referees and possibly Curtain.

“Incredibly disappointing,” Marsch said. “Another horrible way to give away a game on the road.”

Marsch wasn’t the only ejection as assistant coach Mike Sorber was also shown the exit after throwing an additional ball onto the field in an attempt to kill time off of the clock. The move only further angered Marsch.

Marsch will be suspended for the first game of New York’s 2017 US Open Cup campaign and could face a longer suspension depending how severe the federation wishes to deem the punishment.