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Mady Mertens

ATLANTA — When it comes to aerial expertise, D.C. United’s Christian Benteke has no peers in MLS. Not only is he tall and strong, but he gets into the right positions and times his leaps to perfection before snapping a header with the power of a foot-driven shot.

The Belgian striker brought his midair show to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night, scoring with his head three times in a 36-minute span bridging halftime as United claimed a 3-2 victory over Atlanta.

“I always credit the boys because I just ask them to feed me. ‘Feed me, guys, and I will make sure I’m finishing my actions,’ ” Benteke said. “Sometimes I will miss, but I’m likely to score because we create so many chances.”

Toying with defenders, Benteke posted his second hat trick of the season and increased his goal total to 11, tying him with Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez atop the scoring race, pending MLS’s late Saturday games.

“He’s incredible,” Coach Troy Lesesne said. “I don’t think anyone is going to sit here and create a narrative that’s not going to talk about him first, because he deserves to be talked about. ... Without him, we don’t have some of the results that we have. He really is carrying this team in a number of different ways.”

Benteke’s first two goals were assisted by right wing Jared Stroud, the last by Mateusz Klich’s corner kick in the 55th minute to snap a 2-2 tie.

“Sometimes, when I don’t even have the time to look up, I just try to put it in the air where he can jump over any defender in this league,” Stroud said. “I know I just have to give him a chance.”

Beginning a stretch of six games in 22 days, United (4-3-5) won on the road for the first time (1-1-4) and stretched its unbeaten streak to 2-0-1. Atlanta (3-5-3) is winless in six; boos descended when the final whistle sounded.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium had been a nightmare for United since Atlanta began playing there in late 2017: a 1-6-0 record and three goals conceded in each of the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/10/dc-united-atlanta-united/" target=_blank>previous three visits</a>.

United was on even terms early until Christopher McVey took down striker Giorgos Giakoumakis in the box. Thiago Almada, a member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup squad, converted in the 16th minute for his third goal of the year.

United answered three minutes later on a counterattack involving Klich, Aaron Herrera and Stroud. As Stroud prepared to cross from the right flank, Benteke picked his spot. Few defenders can handle the 6-foot-3 striker’s innate aerial ability; 18-year-old Noah Cobb had no chance. Benteke gained inside position and powered in a six-yard header.

Benteke turned provider in the 40th minute, but Brad Guzan made a kick save on Ted Ku-DiPietro’s one-on-one bid.

Stroud and Benteke combined again in the 44th. After Stroud’s first cross was deflected back to him, he delivered a clean ball to Benteke lurking at the top of the six-yard box for a downward header.

Stroud, a winter acquisition from St. Louis, also assisted twice last week against Philadelphia and now has a career-high seven to move into MLS’s top five.

Atlanta needed less than three minutes after intermission to tie it on an own goal. Matti Peltola stuck out his left foot in an effort to block Saba Lobjanidze’s cross. Goalkeeper Alex Bono was coming off his line to intercept it when the ball caromed behind him.

After three major threats by D.C., Benteke restored the lead for his 26th goal in 48 MLS appearances since 2022. United then managed the match well and avoided the late-game breakdowns that have plagued it several times this season.

“It just seemed like everyone was ready for the fight and lay their body on the line,” Bono said. “We had so many blocks on shots from the top of the box, guys winning headers on set pieces, and our separate organization was a lot better today. We really didn’t give them a sniff.”

Here’s what else to know about United’s victory:

Entering a rugged stretch of games, Lesesne enjoyed the healthiest roster of the season. Midfielder Russell Canouse, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04/25/russell-canouse-health-dc-united/" target=_blank>who is recovering from colon surgery</a>, was the only player on the injury report this week.

Defender Conner Antley was the latest to return to active duty after he missed three matches with a calf injury. Antley entered at the start of the second half for Cristian Dájome but suffered an undisclosed injury that Lesesne said will require further evaluation back home. ...

D.C. rookie defender Garrison Tubbs, a former Atlanta academy player, made his MLS debut in the 81st minute.

With the first weeknight match of the season looming, United will have three days to prepare for the New York Red Bulls’ visit to Audi Field on Wednesday. It’s the first of two meetings over seven weeks against longtime rivals to decide the annual Atlantic Cup.

D.C. then will visit Fort Lauderdale, Fla., next Saturday for its first meeting with Lionel Messi (Inter Miami).

Inducted into the Virginia DC Soccer Hall of Fame, 2013

Three-time APSE finalist

Society of Professional Journalists' Dateline Awards, first place, 2023

American University, BA in print journalism, 1988

Steven Goff has covered soccer for The Washington Post since the early 1990s. His beats include D.C. United, MLS and the U.S. national teams. He has been on assignment at every men's World Cup since 1994, plus six Women's World Cups for 14 overall.

Steven Goff

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Christian Benteke nets hat trick of headers to lift D.C. United over Atlanta

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