Four years ago today, defender Richie Marquez's first MLS goal was a memorable one as he not only scored in second-half stoppage time but the goal defeated D.C. United. Below is the original match recap that appeared on PhiladelphiaUnion.com
The thousands that made their way to Chester got their money’s worth as Philadelphia Union welcome D.C. United. 17,364 fans were in attendance at Talen Energy Stadium for the first MLS’ Heineken Rivalry Week matchup of 2016, but every seat was empty in the 91st minute of the match.
Richie Marquez brought everyone to their feet with his first professional goal in MLS regular season play. He buried home the game-winning goal to extend the Union’s unbeaten streak to five games overall and eighth at Talen Energy Stadium. Sebastien Le Toux sent in a ball from well outside the box that sailed over C.J. Sapong’s head. Marquez crashed hard into the box and connected with brilliance.
“My first thought as a defender is to go back to my goal, but staying alive on the play when the ball came in from Seba (Sebastien Le Toux),” Marquez said. “I just judged it and was able to get my foot on it.”
For most of the match the run of play went back and forth. It was a conservative effort from both parties and the game looked destined for a nil-nil draw. United created the biggest threat of the night when Alvaro Saborio found a ball off a corner and forced Union keeper Andre Blake to make another highlight reel save.
Blake was shifting to his right and had to reach back towards his left and deflected the ball away from net. It was a relatively quiet night for the Jamaican keeper making two saves in the match, but when he was called upon to save three points he answered. His clean sheet was his third of the season.
“It’s a great feeling. Feels like I haven’t had a shutout in a while, so to get this one tonight, hats off to the guys,” Blake said. “It wasn’t our best soccer but we stuck to it and if we’re going to be a champion, we’re going to have to win games like those.”
Blake’s performance tonight was another chapter of brilliance at Talen Energy Stadium. He owns a 5-1-2 career record with an outstanding 0.63 goals-against average. He’s now recorded three clean sheets in six matches at home this season.
The win puts Philadelphia at the top of the table for the time being. There is no denying this was not the strongest performance from the club, but their ability to win matches despite not bringing their best is crucial. Union head coach praised his club in his postgame presser for their ability to find different ways to win.
“There is a belief in the group. I think it is clear, even when it is not our best night we can win a one-nothing game, roll up our sleeves and fight,” Curtin said. “We can win in a lot of ways. We can win pretty, we can win when we are a little off and we can win on a restart. We have won in different ways this year.”
