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Davies hat trick lifts D.C. past Chivas

Sep 11, 2011 - 5:01 AM Carson, CA (Sports Network) - D.C. United moved into fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings on Saturday with a convincing 3-0 win over Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center.

The win propelled United, now with 34 points, ahead of Red Bull New York in the East. The Red Bulls, 33 points, played a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC earlier on Saturday.

Charlie Davies recorded a hat trick with all three assists coming from strike- partner Chris Pontius.

Davies got D.C. off the mark in the 11th minute, making a run to the back post to get on the end of a pass from Pontius. Davies one-timed a shot past Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to give United the lead.

Pontius and Davies connected again just four minutes later in similar fashion, with Pontius sliding a pass across the box to find Davies, whose low shot beat Kennedy to double United's lead.

The forward combination of Davies and Pontius proved to be lethal, as the two players gave United a three-goal cushion in the 66th minute.

Pontius played a low ball across the box to find Davies, who one-timed a shot past Kennedy to complete his hat trick and secure three points for United.

It would be the last action Pontius would see in the match, as the striker was carried off with an injury in the 73rd minute after a reckless challenge from David Junior Lopes. The Chivas midfielder earned a red card for the tackle.

Chivas remains in seventh place in the Western Conference standings, tallying 31 points from its 28 games this season.

D.C. United (8-7-10) will have a tough test in its next outing, traveling to CenturyLink Field to face Seattle Sounders FC, while Chivas (7-11-10) heads on the road to face the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. Both matches are slated for September 17.