GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany – Matthew Hoppe became the first American to record a hat-trick in the Bundesliga, leading Schalke 04 to a 4-0 victory over Hoffenheim as the former won its first league game in almost a year Saturday.
Hoppe, 19, a graduate of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy who hails from Yorbe Linda, Calif., played in his fifth league match as Schalke snapped a 30-game winless streak.
A tie or loss would have equaled the league record of 31 winless matches, which was set more than 50 years ago.
After the final whistle, California Dreaming was played as Hoppe’s teammates hugged him.
“I was able to take my chances,” Hoppe was quoted by Agence-France Press. “The win will give us confidence and some momentum. There are 19 games left, hopefully we can stay up in the first division.”
19-year old Orange County, California product Matthew Hoppe has become first American in our nation’s history to score a hat trick in the German Bundesliga. His goals have powered fallen giant Schalke to their first win in 30 games. Godspeed 🙌🇺🇸🇩🇪pic.twitter.com/I6ikvjrCxH
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) January 9, 2021