Alhassan Yusuf produced a stunning individual performance as he scored his first-ever hat-trick to inspire New England Revolution to a 3-0 victory over DC United in their Major League Soccer (MLS) clash at Audi Field on Thursday.
The Super Eagles midfielder was the star of the show for The Revs, scoring twice in the first half before completing his hat-trick six minutes after the hour mark to help New England end their three-game winless run.
Yusuf opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after Jack Harrison delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Peyton Miller, at the back post, headed the ball into a dangerous area, allowing the unmarked Nigerian to rise highest and head home.
The 26-year-old doubled New England’s advantage shortly before halftime, once again benefiting from Harrison’s delivery. Yusuf met another excellent cross from the former Leeds United winger and produced a superb one-touch finish at the back post to make it 2-0.
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Yusuf completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute, with Harrison again playing a key role. The Englishman sent another dangerous cross into the box, and Yusuf used his intelligent movement to create space before heading the ball into the net for his third of the night.
The hat-trick takes Yusuf’s tally to five goals and two assists in 20 league appearances this season, making it the most prolific campaign of his career in terms of goals.
He also became only the eighth player in New England Revolution history to score a hat-trick in a regular-season match and the first to achieve the feat since Kei Kamara nine years ago.
DC United struggled to find a response despite their efforts to get back into the contest, with New England keeping a clean sheet and securing all three points. Yusuf was subsequently named Man of the Match for his outstanding display.
The victory leaves New England Revolution fourth in the Eastern Conference with 33 points, while DC United remain ninth on 24 points following their third consecutive winless match.
New England head coach Marko Mitrović praised Yusuf and Harrison for their decisive contributions, particularly their execution in the final third.
“Both Yusuf and Harrison did their jobs. But sometimes it’s not just about doing your job. You have to do that job at a high level, with high quality, and both of them just executed all three goals perfectly,” Mitrović said.
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