Tai Baribo hat trick carries Philadelphia over Cincinnati

Tai Baribo notched a hat trick Saturday night and the Philadelphia Union made it two wins in as many matches with a 4-1 decision over Cincinnati FC in Chester, Pa.

Baribo, who scored twice on Feb. 22 in Philadelphia's season-opening 4-2 win at Orlando, took advantage of frequent defensive breakdowns by a normally stingy opponent. They were enough to give the Union a 3-0 lead before Evander scored his first goal for Cincinnati FC in the 58th minute.

But that wasn't enough to prevent Cincinnati FC from seeing its record leveled to 1-1-0. It was coming off a clean sheet in a season-opening 1-0 win against the New York Red Bulls but wasn't able to duplicate that performance on the road.

Baribo got Philadelphia going in the sixth minute. Kai Wagner collected a failed clearance short of midfield and dribbled down the left side. His cross into the middle hit Baribo in stride and he cooly flicked a right-footed shot past a helpless Roman Celentano.

Another breakdown defensively by Cincinnati FC teed up Baribo in the 30th minute. A giveaway sent Daniel Gazdag and Baribo on a two-on-one. Serviced in the 18-yard box, Baribo beat Celentano just inside the right post for a 2-0 lead that carried into halftime.

Baribo tacked on the hat trick tally via Gazdag again. After collecting a deflected cross on the left side of the penalty box, Gazdag found Baribo unmarked at the right post. All Baribo had to do was chip it into the top of the goal in the 52nd minute.

Evander got his marker via a left-footed strike just outside the 18-yard box but the Union added another goal via Bruno Damiani in the third minute of stoppage time.

Philadelphia finished the night with a 14-7 advantage in shots and a 7-2 cushion in shots on goal. Baribo logged four shots on frame and four other teammates, including Damiani, added two apiece.

Goalie Andre Blake only had to make one save for the Union.

--Field Level Media