Alhassan Yusuf named MLS Player of the Matchday after stunning hat-trick

Alhassan Yusuf has been named MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 21 after his outstanding hat-trick inspired New England Revolution to a 3-0 victory over D.C. United.

The Nigeria international scored twice before half-time at Audi Field before completing his hat-trick in the 66th minute, becoming the eighth player in New England Revolution history to score three goals in a regular-season match and the club’s first since Kei Kamara in September 2017.

The performance was also Yusuf’s first multi-goal game as a professional and took his 2026 tally to five goals, a career single-season high.

Yusuf was involved in all three goals, with new Designated Player signing Jack Harrison providing assists for each of his finishes. The victory helped New England maintain fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 33 points from 20 matches.

Reflecting on his remarkable night, Yusuf said the goals were the product of work carried out in training throughout the season.

‘It’s something we have been practicing for a while now from the beginning of the season, and we got it right today,’ Yusuf said. ‘I was in the right place and got the goals. A new nickname, I don’t know if I will take it, but we’ll see.’

Yusuf becomes the first New England player to win the MLS Player of the Matchday award since goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič in 2024 and the first Nigerian-born player to receive the honour since Tani Oluwaseyi last season.