Alhassan Yusuf wins MLS award after hat-trick in 3-0 Revolution win

Alhassan Yusuf was named Man of the Match after scoring all three goals in New England Revolution’s 3-0 victory over D.C. United in Major League Soccer. The result ended the Revolution’s three-match winless run and gave the Nigeria international a landmark night in New England.

Yusuf opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a header. He struck again just before half-time, finishing from close range after meeting a volley, to send the Revolution into the interval 2-0 ahead.

The 26-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute when he headed in a floated cross. The performance made him only the eighth player in New England Revolution history to score three times in a regular-season match.

Yusuf was also the club’s first hat-trick scorer since Kei Kamara achieved the feat on September 2, 2017. His three goals against D.C. United took his MLS total to five for the campaign, while he has also recorded two assists across 20 appearances.

The victory was particularly significant for New England after the team had gone three games without a win. Yusuf’s scoring display provided the decisive difference, with the Revolution keeping D.C. United scoreless while building a three-goal advantage.

Born in Kano, Yusuf began his football journey in Nigeria before travelling to Sweden for the Gothia Cup with Tiki-Taka Academy. His performances there led to a professional contract with IFK Göteborg. Antwerp later reached an agreement with the Swedish club for his transfer in July 2021.

Yusuf helped Antwerp secure the Belgian league and cup double in the 2022-23 season, the club’s first league title since 1957. He has also represented Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles finished runners-up, and played a role in their 2026 Unity Cup triumph in England.