Christian Benteke hat trick powers DC United against Atlanta United

Christian Benteke scored his second hat trick of the season to lead DC United to a 3-2 win over host Atlanta United on Saturday.

DC United is 2-0-1 in its last three matches, and Saturday’s win was DC’s first in six (1-1-4) road matches this season. DC also ended its six-game winless streak (0-5-1) against Atlanta dating back to the 2021 season.

Atlanta United (3-5-3, 12 points) is 0-3-3 in its last six league matches.

Benteke already has 11 goals in 10 matches, making the star one of the top contenders for the MLS Golden Boot trophy. The star striker also scored three goals in DC United’s 3-1 win over the New England Revolution on February 24.

Benteke scored his three goals on Saturday with a header. Beneteke’s attack began in the 19th minute, when DC United (4-3-5, 17 points) moved the ball downfield quickly and easily with a series of long passes, culminating with Beneteke’s crossfield pass. Jared Stroud in front of Benteke.

DC took the lead on a similar goal in the 44th minute. DC United once again had plenty of space to chain passes to the Atlanta side, and Stroud’s first cross attempt was deflected onto his feet. The midfielder quickly tried again and this time passed the ball to Benteke for another successful header attempt.

DC defender Matti Peltola accidentally brought Atlanta back to level with an own goal in the 48th minute, but Benteke restored DC United’s lead seven minutes later. Benteke leapt to meet Mateusz Klich’s corner and fired the shot off the post and into the net for the winning goal.

Thiago Almada gave Atlanta United the lead with a penalty in the 16th minute. The DC United defender fouled Giorgos Giakoumakis in the box, resulting in a penalty and Almada converting his third goal of the season.