The FC Cincinnati forward scored a stunning nine-minute hat-trick, breaking Lionel Messi’s grip on the weekly award.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jun 18th, 2024 12:31 EDT0
Katie StratmanUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
FC Cincinnati star Yuya Kubo was named MLS Player of the Matchday after a stunning game-winning hat trick against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Cincy were 2-1 down going into the final 15 minutes when Kubo, on as a second-half substitute, fired in a late treble to save the day. Kubo’s hat-trick was the fifth in club history and he becomes the seventh Cincinnati player to be win MLS Player of the Matchday.
That dramatic victory over the Quakes was the Cincinnati’s eighth win in nine games and enough to keep them hot on the heels of Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference. Cincy are currently two points behind Miami but have two games in hand, leaving them close to a record-setting pace in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Second fastest hat trick (9 minutes) in the past 20 years. 🔥Yuya Kubo earns Player of the Matchday honors. pic.twitter.com/2NKO6A7lXd
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 17, 2024
How many MLS Player of the Matchdays has Lionel Messi won?
The Inter Miami captain has made 12 appearances in MLS so far this year, scoring 12 goals and recording nine assists. Injuries, rests and international duty have ensured that he has only been named in the starting XI for 58% of Inter Miami games, but he remains a star when on the field.
