This is the second hat trick of the season for Philadelphia Union's Daniel Gazdag, whose efforts helped seal the club's position as the Eastern Conference's top seed for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. The decisive moment occurred on Decision Day, in front of a sold-out crowd at Subaru Park, when they defeated Toronto FC by a score of 4-0.

Matt Real, a local product, was feeling confident, so he delivered a short pass to Leon Flach, who rushed into the open space on the left side of the field. Flach, anticipating Real's move, placed a backheeled ball into Real's feet, and Real blasted a cross into the box with his left foot. The ball was originally aimed toward Julian Carranza as he retreated from his defender, but the ball was deflected into the air and found the Hungarian waiting patiently at the top of the box. When Gazdag took it on the volley and unleashed a right-footed blast, he became the first player in Union history to score 20 goals in a single season, and Subaru Park went wild. Later in the first half, Jose Martinez fired a ball forward that crashed off a Toronto player close to the Union box, but Leon Flach raced it down and passed it to Gazdag to prevent it from rolling out of play. Gazdag fired a volley over the defense and into the wide area where Uhre was waiting for it. With only the goalkeeper and a charging defender between him and an easy 13th goal of the year 2022, the striker stopped on a dime, glanced up, and tucked the ball away.

At Subaru Park, the Union offensive resumed its dominance in the second half, and the game was essentially crowned as a result. In the 57th minute, Gazdag was the catalyst as his team gained control around the penalty area's upper corner. The defenders packed the middle, expecting him to shoot, but Gazdag swiftly passed the ball to Uhre's left. Uhre was all alone against the goalkeeper, but the keeper made a diving save to deny Uhre a brace. After the save, Union earned a corner kick thanks to a shot by Uhre that was blocked by the defender's hand. Gazdag walked up to the penalty spot and stood still to score a brace in front of the River End.

The Hungarian wasn't satisfied with two goals and scored three minutes later to complete a hat trick. He kept attacking the center of the field as he did all game, this time with a powerful ball that was deflected off a Toronto FC player. Carranza reacted quickest, putting the ball back at Gazdag's feet as he dove into the penalty area. Gazdag beat two defenders with a dribble and scored a hat trick by shooting as he went down. With this victory, the Union have secured the Eastern Conference's top seed for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs and will host the winner of the match between the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati in the First Round.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Trey Madara]