Colorado Rapids Designated Player Djordje Mihailovic stunned a sold-out CITYPARK crowd on Wednesday night as he notched three goals in a perfect hat trick performance. The midfielder scored in the ninth, 60th and 96th minute to give the Rapids a resounding road win and return to DICK'S Sporting Goods Park with three points.
Mihailovic now holds 14 goal contributions on the season (8g, 6a), with six goals scored in the last four games on the road.
Defender Sebastian Anderson assisted Mihailovic for his first goal of the night, marking his first assist in MLS. Anderson's long throw-in into the box sailed over the heads of St. Louis' defense, bounced once and found the head of Mihailovic flying into the back post.
His second manifested itself from an ill-placed throw by St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki, which Mihailovic picked off just outside the box in the 60th minute. His quick reaction and one touch before curling the ball home with his left foot marked his second brace of the season, but he woudn't be done before the final whistle blew.
Late into the second half's stoppage time Calvin Harris was taken down inside the box, earning the Rapids a penalty kick. Mihailovic stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball to the lower right side for his third and final goal of the night.
His header, left-footed shot and right-footed shot not only earned the midfielder his first hat trick, but his first perfect hat trick of his career. This is the second time Mihaolivic has been named to the Team of the Matchday with the Rapids, the first being for his brace performance against LAFC at home on March 30.
Team of the Matchday - Matchday 21
F: Sam Surridge (NSH), Petar Musa (DAL)
M: Latif Blessing (HOU), Luciano Acosta (CIN), Djordje Mihailovic (COL), Evander (POR), Andrés Gómez (RSL)
D: Luca Orellano (CIN), Jackson Ragen (SEA), Ian Fray (MIA)
GK: Brad Guzan (ATL)
Coach: Peter Luccin (DAL)
Bench: John McCarthy (LA), Sergi Palencia (LAFC), Julian Gressel (MIA), Thiago Almada (ATL), Diego Luna (RSL), Facundo Torres (ORL), Tai Baribo (PHI), Willy Agada (SKC), Dejan Joveljic (LA)
