MLS: DC United 4 New York Red Bulls 1

23 April 2012 07:03

Chris Pontius scored three goals as D.C. United won big to leapfrog arch rival New York and claim second place in the East.

D.C. United had little trouble with the visiting Red Bulls, breaching a poor back line four times on the way to the win.

The home side got off to a great start just eight minutes in when Pontius robbed the ball from Thierry Henry near midfield, rode off the challenge of Markus Holgersson, and fired a shot home from the top of the box.

Pontius grabbed his second of the night in the 32nd minute thanks to great work from Maicon Santos.

The Brazilian bullied his way through three Red Bulls defenders before his cross was deflected and fell kindly to Pontius, who had the simplest of tap ins on the goal line.

United made it three just two minutes later after Victor Palsson slipped and deflected the ball into the box for Dwayne De Rosario, who held off Connor Lade and squared to Nick DeLeon, who applied the finish from inside the box.

Pontius completed his hat trick in some style in the 69th minute, torching the porous Red Bulls' defence by dribbling straight through the middle before dispatching past an onrushing Ryan Meara.

Henry grabbed a consolation for the visitors a couple minutes later, curling in a great free kick from 20 yards out.

That would be the last of the goals, as D.C. United stretched its unbeaten run to six games.