Wayne Rooney scored his first career MLS hat trick, leading D.C. United to a 5-0 victory over a Real Salt Lake squad that finished Saturday night's match with nine men.
Lucas Rodriguez also scored a sensational first MLS goal for D.C., and Ulises Segura piled onto RSL's misery late to help the Black-and-Red earn seven points in their first three matches for the first time since 2005. Junior Moreno contributed two assists.
United were already up 2-0 before RSL were reduced to 10 men, when Jefferson Savarino was dismissed by referee David Gantar for a kick into Luciano Acosta's face in pursuit of the ball.
It was nine men a couple minutes after Rooney's third, when Marcelo Silva -- whose penalty conceded in the first half kickstarted the rout -- received his second yellow card for fouling Rodriguez in a dangerous position.
Goals
- 34' - DC - Wayne Rooney (PK) | WATCH
- 41' - DC - Wayne Rooney | WATCH
- 65' - DC - Wayne Rooney | WATCH
- 76' - DC - Lucas Rodriguez | WATCH
- 80' - DC - Ulises Segura | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: While RSL were substantially impeded after halftime by their two red cards, the match remained D.C.'s third consecutive defensive clean sheet to open the season.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It was still scoreless when Gantar chose to undergo a Video Review for a potential penalty inside RSL's area. After watching the footage, he determined Silva had stood on the leg of Paul Arriola, and pointed to the spot. Rooney converted, and it all unraveled after that for the visitors.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Rooney has scored in bunches since joining D.C. in the middle of last season. His first MLS hat trick marked his fifth multiple-goal game in 23 league appearances.
Up Next
- DC: Sunday, March 31 at Orlando City SC (6 pm ET | FS1, MLS LIVE on DAZN)
- RSL: Saturday, March 23 at LAFC (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN)
