Nigeria international Alhassan Yusuf produced the performance of his MLS career as he scored a hat-trick to inspire New England Revolution to a commanding 3-0 victory over D.C. United at Audi Field on Wednesday night.
The 26-year-old midfielder opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a header after Jack Harrison’s delivery was headed back across goal by Peyton Miller. Yusuf doubled the advantage just before half-time, tapping home another Harrison cross from close range.
Yusuf completed his treble in the 66th minute, once again heading home from a Harrison delivery to put the result beyond doubt.
The hat-trick was the first of Yusuf’s professional career and made him only the eighth player in New England Revolution history to score three goals in a regular-season MLS match. He is also the club’s first hat-trick scorer since Kei Kamara achieved the feat in September 2017.
The Nigerian midfielder’s display was particularly impressive given that his primary responsibilities have traditionally been defensive and creative rather than goalscoring.
His three goals also took his 2026 MLS tally to five goals and two assists, marking his most productive scoring campaign at club level.
Yusuf’s goals helped New England end a three-match winless run and move to a 3-0 victory over D.C. United, while goalkeeper Matt Turner kept a clean sheet.
The performance could also provide a timely boost for Yusuf as he continues to push for a more prominent role with the Super Eagles.
For a player known largely for his energy, ball-winning ability and work rate in midfield, his latest outing demonstrated another dimension to his game — a growing threat in the final third.
Alhassan Yusuf has certainly given Nigerian football fans something to celebrate. His hat-trick not only secured three points for New England but also announced himself as one of the MLS’s standout performers of the night.
I can also turn this into a more punchy Nigerian sports-news version with a question headline, such as: “Can Alhassan Yusuf’s MLS Hat-Trick Earn Him a Bigger Super Eagles Role?”
