Carranza of Union scored three times in the win over DC United – Reading Eagle

It’s abundantly clear that Julian Carranza loves playing against DC United. The Argentine forward has scored two hat-tricks in his MLS career, both this season against a team based in the nation’s capital.

Carranza scored three times, all in the second half, and provided an assist as the Union beat DC United 6-0 at the Audi Field for the second time this season.

Mikael Ure, Daniel Gazdag and Corey Burke each added a goal as the Union beat D.C. United for the fourth time in the last five meetings between the clubs. The Union has won the two meetings this season by a combined score of 13-0. The Union won 7-0 at Subaru Park on July 8. Carranza also had a hat trick in that win.

Gazdag (13 goals, 9 assists), Carranza (12, 7) and Ure (9, 4) have combined for 34 goals and 19 assists this season. The win also moved the Union (14-4-9, 51 points) five points ahead of CF Montreal in the East division. Montreal beat New England 4-0.

The six goals equaled the club record for most away goals. On May 28, 2011, the Union defeated Toronto FC 6-2 at BMO Field.

Andre Blake made two saves and posted his 11th shutout of the season.

DC United dominated possession early and had a 5-1 advantage in the first 16 minutes, but had little to show for it, thanks in large part to Andre Blake.

In the 16th minute, Blake made a big save on Ravel Morrison and the game was ruled out. Three minutes later, United nearly struck again when Taxiarchis Fauntos struck the right post with his left foot.

Momentum then began to shift in favor of the Union. Carranza was the first to apply the pressure. He had a shot blocked from outside the box in the 24th minute, missed in the 26th minute and had his shot saved by DC goalkeeper Rafael Roma in the 28th minute.

The drought, however, did not last long. In the 37th minute, Ure converted a pass from Carranza to break the deadlock. A VAR review helped the Union make it 2-0 when Daniel Gazdag converted a stoppage-time penalty.

DC United’s Jose Alfaro fouled Ure in the box, but initially no foul was called. Referee Ted Unkel decided to take another look and a penalty was awarded. Gazdag converted a penalty and gave “Soyuz” a two-goal advantage before the break.

Carranza soon joined the scoring frenzy. Two minutes into the second half, he took a pass from Gazdag for a 3-zip.

In the 70th minute, Carranza struck again. He collected a loose ball after Burke’s shot off the post to give the Union a 4-0 lead. Carranza completed the hat trick in the 74th minute. Five minutes later, Burke took a pass from Jack McGlynn to close the scoring.