WASHINGTON — Tom Barlow finished with his first career hat trick after scoring two of four first-half goals by Chicago’s front line, and the Fire breezed to a 7-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night.
The Fire (7-5-4) tied a franchise record for goals in a game, set July 4, 2001, against the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium. Six of the Fire’s seven wins have come in 10 road matches; they are 1-1-4 at home.
Maren Haile-Selassie found the net in the 8th minute for his first goal in his first start of the season to give the Fire a quick lead. Jonathan Bamba scored for a two-goal lead in the 24th minute.
Barlow scored his first of the season in the 30th minute and his second in the 44th as the Fire took a 4-0 lead into halftime. He finished the hat trick in the 65th. Barlow has never scored more than four goals in a season.
Philip Zinckernagel opened the second-half scoring in the 56th minute with his seventh goal. Brian Gutiérrez came off the bench and scored in the first minute of stoppage time for his sixth goal, matching his career high set last season.
Dominique Badji entered in the second half and scored his first goal of the season in the 60th minute for DC United.
Jeffrey Gal finished with two saves for the Fire in his second career start. Luis Barraza saved four shots for DC United (4-8-6).
The Fire return home to play Nashville SC on Saturday.