Wayne Rooney's hat trick helps D.C. United rout Real Salt Lake

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:24 am

Wayne Rooney's first three goals of the season led D.C. United to a dominating 5-0 win over visiting Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

It was Rooney's first hat trick in Major League Soccer, and his fifth multi-goal game since joining D.C. United last July. All 15 of Rooney's goals in a D.C. jersey have come in home games.

Lucas Rodriguez and Ulises Segura also scored for D.C. United, which outshot Real Salt Lake by a 22-4 margin.

Beyond the attack, D.C. United remained the only MLS team that has yet to allow a goal this season. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid needed to make just two saves to record his third consecutive shutout.

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Going back to last season, D.C. United now has a 372-minute shutout streak in regular-season play. D.C. United is also unbeaten in its last 13 regular season games.

RSL may have been fortunate to allow only five goals in what was an all-around nightmarish evening for the visitors. Salt Lake was reduced to a nine-man side, as Jefferson Savarino and Marcelo Silva were both ejected on red cards.

Savarino was shown a straight red in first-half stoppage time, after his accidental high kick to the face of Luciano Acosta. Silva received his second booking of the game in the 67th minute.

Wayne Rooney scored a hat trick as D.C. United ran out 5-0 winners against Real Salt Lake.
AP Photo/Claude Paris

Rooney's first score came on a penalty kick in the 34th minute. A video review revealed that a foul by Silva foul on Paul Arriola took place just inside the box, leading D.C.'s free shot at net.

In the 41st minute, defender Leonardo Jara came up to join the play and forced a takeaway. Jara then rolled a well-placed pass across to an open Rooney, who had time to place a chip shot past Nick Rimando.

More excellent passing set up the third D.C. goal. Acosta found an open Junior Moreno on the near side of the RSL box, and Moreno crossed in front to a sliding Rooney for the score.