Raccoon on pitch stops play in Major League Soccer match

The game was stopped for five minutes while stadium security tried to catch the raccoon

An unusual disturbance stopped play in a Major League Soccer match in the US this week.

Not rain, but a raccoon on the pitch, meant the match between the Philadelphia Union and New York City had to be paused on Wednesday.

The game was paused for five minutes while security staff tried to capture the animal and remove it from the pitch.

The native North America mammal showed impressive footwork as he tried to escape the stadium staff.

Raccoon facts:

• Raccoons live throughout the continental US except for parts of the Rocky Mountains and the deserts. They’re also found in Canada and Central America

• Raccoons are excellent climbers and can climb almost any surface thanks to their sharp claws and nimble paws

• Raccoons are known for their bandit-like dark face masks. One theory is that the distinctive dark markings help them see clearly. They deflect the sun’s glare and also may enhance night vision

• Raccoons are very intelligent animals and have been known to solve complex puzzles and escape from captivity

As security staff tried to catch the animal in a plastic bin, the crowd in the Pennsylvania stadium chanted "raccoon, raccoon".

Eventually the invader was caught and taken away.

The Philadelphia Union shared a post on social media, saying that the raccoon was "put in good hands" with pest control, and "safely released".

Meanwhile the Major League Soccer X account shared a post naming him.

"Unofficially, Raquinho the Raccoon spent 161 seconds on the field tonight, which was the most by a raccoon in @MLS history."