Philadelphia Union 1, DC United 0 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

The Philadelphia Union and D.C. United kicked off the Heineken Rivalry Week slate on Friday with a 1-0 Union win at Talen Energy Stadium.

Both sides shared opportunities, but most of the game was played in the middle third and both goalkeepers came up big to keep it scoreless through 90 minutes.

It looked like Philly would take the lead in the 51st minute, as Sebastien Le Toux latched onto a save by Travis Worra right in front of goal, but his second touch let him down and the opportunity went begging.

Meanwhile, Union goalkeeper Andre Blake parried away United's best chance, as Alvaro Saborio's bicycle kick attempt was saved by the Jamaican international just after the hour mark.

And just as it appeared the game would finish in a stalemate, Le Toux sent a beautiful cross into the box, and defender Richie Marquez scored in second-half stoppage time, his first goal in MLS, to win the game for the hosts.

Box Score

90+1' – PHI – Richie Marquez (Sebastien Le Toux)
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Three Things

IMPECCABLE TIMING: Entering the match, it's safe to say Marquez would not have been anyone's first choice to score the lone goal in the game. But not only did he notch the winner to open his account in MLS, his technique was good, too, as his cushioned side-foot shot redirected the ball past Worra. Not bad from a center back.
UNHAPPY ACOSTA: Probably the most passionate moment of the game came on the sideline. D.C. playmaker Luciano Acosta came out of the game in the 61st minute, and after refusing to shake Julian Buescher's hand, refused to do the same for coach Ben Olsen and wagged his finger in his coach's direction. Just part of the game or something else? Time will tell.
UNION BACK IN 1ST: The win gives Philadelphia sole position of first place in the Eastern Conference, pending the rest of the weekend's results. Either way, they're on a five-game unbeaten run and even if this game came down to the death, they look like they are certainly in the playoff mix, something that Union fans have been waiting for the past several years.