Christian Benteke scores 3 goals to help DC United beat Atlanta United

ATLANTA (AP) — Christian Benteke scored three goals — his second hat trick this season — and Jared Stroud had two assists Saturday night to help DC United beat Atlanta United 3-2.

Benteke has three multi-goal games this season and is tied with Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez for the most goals in MLS with 11.

A DC United own goal leveled the score early in the second half, but Benteke gave them the lead for good when he headed home a corner played by Mateusz Klich which made it to 3-2 in the 55th minute.

Atlanta (3-5-3) is winless in six straight games since beating the Chicago Fire 3-0 on March 31.

Stoud, on the right side of the penalty area, played a low cross which was redirected back to him for a one-touch entry to Benteke for a header which slipped inside the back post to give a goal to DC United (4-3-5). Leading 2-1 in the 44th minute.

Thiago Almada converted from the penalty spot in the 16th minute to open the scoring and give Atlanta a 1-0 lead.

Stround ran down the right side on a ball played by Aaron Herrera and played a precision shot to Benteke, who headed the finish from the top of the penalty area to make it 1-1 in the 19th.

___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer