Alhassan Yusuf, better known for his defensive discipline than his goalscoring, produced the display of his MLS career to sink D.C. United and end New England’s losing run.
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Super Eagles midfielder Alhassan Yusuf scored a hat-trick as New England Revolution returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over D.C. United at Audi Field, sportsration.com reports.
Yusuf opened the scoring after 23 minutes, doubled the lead shortly before half time, then completed his first career hat trick with a close range header 21 minutes into the second half. The win was an important one for New England, arriving after back-to-back defeats to Houston and Toronto, and strengthened their hold on fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
A Career-Best Season
The performance takes Yusuf to five goals and two assists for the season, already his best individual return in a single MLS campaign. He also became just the eighth player in New England Revolution history to score a hat trick in a regular season match, and the first since Kei Kamara managed the feat nine years ago.
Harrison’s Instant Impact
All three of Yusuf’s goals were created by new Designated Player signing Jack Harrison, who provided the assists across the match. Head coach Marko Mitrovic praised how quickly Harrison has settled into the side, saying the team has already started getting the performances they were hoping for from him and expects that level to continue over the long term. Mitrovic also credited the wider squad’s growing understanding of his system, saying more time together has made things clearer for the players and that results are starting to reflect that improvement.
A Bright Night For The Academy Product Too
Teenage winger Peyton Miller also impressed, heading Harrison’s cross back across goal for Yusuf’s opening strike. The 18 year old has continued to develop across multiple positions this season, and Mitrovic praised how he has handled the step up to senior football.
📌 Did You Know?
- Yusuf hails from Kano and began his career at FC Hearts Nigeria before moving to Swedish side IFK Goteborg in 2018, where he was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year in 2019.
- He won the Belgian Pro League, Belgian Cup and Belgian Super Cup during his time at Royal Antwerp before joining New England Revolution in 2024.
- Yusuf scored twice in Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Jamaica in the 2026 Unity Cup final, his first two goals for the Super Eagles.
- He holds Nigeria’s Member of the Order of the Niger honour, awarded following the Super Eagles’ runner-up finish at AFCON 2023.
- Yusuf featured in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON 2023 final, including a substitute appearance in the final itself against hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
- His hat trick is only the eighth in New England Revolution’s regular season history, and the club’s first since Kei Kamara achieved the feat nine years ago.
