Zach Pfeffer's goal lifts Union past D.C. United, 1-0

In the midst of yet another rough season on the field for the Union, fans' frustrations with the team's perennial struggles finally boiled over Sunday night at PPL Park.

And at the very last minute, those same fans finally got a much-needed reason to celebrate.

Days after narrowly being cut from the U.S. national team for the upcoming under-20 World Cup, Zach Pfeffer scored in the 93rd minute to give the Union a 1-0 win over D.C. United. It was only the team's second victory in 12 games this season.

The Dresher native struck from 12 yards out, after Fabinho hustled down the left wing and sent in a low cross. Sébastien Le Toux let the ball slip past him, and Pfeffer calmly slotted it home. That was a just reward for the constant pressure that the Union (2-7-3, 9 points) forced on United (6-2-3, 21 points), the best team in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.

"It's a great moment for myself, but more importantly a great moment for our team," Pfeffer said. "We finally got the win we've been yearning for."

Until Pfeffer's late heroics, it seemed that the contest would be overshadowed by events before the game, and for good reason.

Outside the stadium, the Sons of Ben supporters' club – famed for supporting soccer in Philadelphia even before the Union existed – organized a protest march across the parking lots. It included a large banner that read "UNION FANS DESERVE BETTER."

Fans also carried a coffin in the Union's blue-and-gold colors. Among the messages painted on its sides was "SUPPORT THE TEAM NOT THE REGIME!" The underside of the coffin's lid featured a picture of Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz and the inscription "NICK SAKIEWICZ SERIAL FRANCHISE KILLER."

That was a reference to Sakiewicz's previous tenures with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, since rebranded as the Red Bulls; and the now-defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny. Some of the unofficial pall-bearers chanted "Fire Sak!" as they headed for the turnstiles.

Ahead of the protest, Sakiewicz issued a short statement on behalf of the organization. In addition to being the CEO, he is a part-owner of the team, and has long been the public face of its mostly-reserved ownership group. He has also been one of the rare constants amid the organization's many upheavals over the years.

"We wholeheartedly agree with the Sons of Ben, and we share the frustrations of all fans to the start of the season," Sakiewicz said. "We are committed to assisting Jim [Curtin, the Union's coach] and his staff in every way so we can get the team back on the right track."

Sakiewicz was not available for further comment, but Curtin shared a few thoughts after the game.

"They've stuck with me, they've stuck with the team," he said. "To send them home happy tonight, that's been few and far between this year... If you're a fan of this team, you're entitled to be pissed off at how this year has gone."