New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips, left, celebrates after scoring his second goal of the first half against Toronto FC goalkeeper Clint Irwin, third from right, during an MLS soccer game on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The Associated Press
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) - Bradley Wright-Phillips had his first hat trick since 2014 - when he had three - and the New York Red Bulls beat Toronto FC 3-0 on Saturday night.
Wright-Phillips scored in the fourth, 25th and 27th minutes for the fastest hat trick in MLS history. He has eight goals in the last seven game - the Red Bulls are 5-1-1 in that span - after going scoreless in the first seven.
New York (6-7-1) survived a full half playing a man down after Gonzalo Veron was shown a red card in the 43rd.
Wright-Phillips opened the scoring with a header, off the feed from Sacha Kljestan, from the center of the box. Kljestan again found Wright-Phillips, who froze the defender and went near post, to make it 2-0 before finding the back of the net from the corner of the 6-yard box. Kljestan lead MLS with 10 assists.
Toronto (4-5-4) in winless in its last four matches.
The Red Bulls, who had an MLS-low three points on April 24, moved into a tie with Philadelphia atop Eastern Conference.
New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips is congratulated by teammates after scoring his third goal of the first half of an MLS soccer game against the Toronto FC on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Referee Allen Chapman, right, speaks with New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch during the first half of an MLS soccer game against the Toronto FC on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty, right, and Toronto FC forward Mo Babouli, left, battle for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Red Bulls Ronald Zubar (23) and Toronto FC forward Jordan Hamilton (22) battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Red Bulls' Ronald Zubar, top left, battles for a header with Toronto FC defender Damien Perquis, top right, during the second half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) goes after New York Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty, front left, while being restrained by referee Allen Chapman, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Toronto FC forward Will Johnson (7) reacts after missing a penalty shot during the second half of an MLS soccer game against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Toronto FC goalkeeper Clint Irwin, left, reacts towards teammates after giving up the third goal of the half to the New York Red Bulls during the first half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco, right, reacts as the New York Red Bulls celebrate after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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