Tom Barlow scored his first career MLS hat trick for his first three goals of the season and the Chicago Fire romped to a 7-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night.

Maren Haile-Selassie , Jonathan Bamba , Philip Zinckernagel and Brian Gutierrez also scored for Chicago (7-5-4, 25 points), which has won four out of five in the league and six out of seven overall.

The result propelled the Fire above New York City FC on goal difference into ninth in the Eastern Conference and into the final East playoff spot for now. The Fire have also played one fewer match than all but one side above them in the table.

Dominique Badji scored a late consolation tally for D.C. (4-8-6, 18 points), which allowed an opponent at least six goals for the second time this season after losing 6-1

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