D.C. United have not been possessed what anyone would call a high-production offense the past few years. Last season, they scored only 43 goals, fewest among all the playoff teams.
This season, heading into Saturday night's home match vs. Chicago, they were the lowest-scoring team in the league, averaging barely a goal a game.
One reason, perhaps, is that they haven't that explosive, go-to guy that so many other clubs have.
Maybe now they do.
Patrick Mullins, who was picked up in a trade with New York City FC last month, exploded for a hat trick in what finished as a 6-2 win for United. It was the first hat trick scored by a D.C. player since Luis Silva did it against Montreal on June 11, 2014. The six goals scored was the highest tally for United since a 6-4 win over Real Salt Lake on August 1, 2015.
After Saturday's win, United are above the red line. Is Mullins the one who will keep them there?
