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Emilio's hat trick leads DC United past Red Bulls

Jun 15, 2008 - 3:58 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Luciano Emilio recorded his first career hat trick to propel D.C. United to a 4-1 triumph over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Last season's MLS Most Valuable Player, Emilio has scored six goals in his last four games. He now has seven tallies this campaign.

"I think it's important for any player to score a hat trick," Emilio said through an interpreter. "Obviously, I'm happy about that. Now I've got to keep working hard and focus and maybe next time I'll score four."

D.C. United (5-7-1) is now unbeaten in its last four games while New York (4-3-3) has dropped three of its last four.

"We're still working on some things," D.C. United coach Tom Soehn said. "I was disappointed we gave up a goal. We're working hard to get a clean sheet."

Emilio's first goal of the game in the 23rd minute was assisted by Fred and Santino Quaranta.

After Clyde Simms scored his first tally of the season in the 25th minute to give D.C. United a 2-0 advantage, Emilio added a second goal in the stoppage time just before halftime by putting in a rebound off a Quaranta shot to widen his team's advantage.

The Red Bulls got on the scoreboard when Dave van den Bergh notched New York's lone goal in the 54th minute, but five minutes later Emilio accepted a feed from Devon McTavish at the top of the penalty box to cap the hat trick. Jaime Moreno also got an assist on the play.

"Hopefully we're going the right direction," Moreno said. "We knew this (season) was going to turn around at some point, and finally D.C. United is playing like D.C. United, so we're pretty pleased with the way we're playing."

Emilio's performance and United's quick lead made Friday's game especially hard on the Red Bulls.

"This is a tough place to play to begin with," van den Bergh said. "When you go down that fast, that hard, it's going to be real hard."

For Emilio, the current run comes after a seven-game scoreless streak.

"I said before, 'When he does get one, it's going to come in bunches,'" Soehn said. "And it's starting to come in bunches."

New York goalkeeper Jon Conway made four saves in the game, while D.C.'s Zach Wells did not record a save.

Both teams received three yellow cards in the match. Quaranta picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the first half and will be suspended for the next game.