João Klauss Nets First MLS Hat Trick in St. Louis Showdown with Galaxy

João Klauss etched his name into the annals of Major League Soccer on a night to remember, striking his first hat trick and salvaging a thrilling 3-3 draw for St. Louis City against the LA Galaxy on Saturday.

With only moments to spare in stoppage time, the 28-year-old delivered the pivotal blow. A far-reaching free kick by Roman Burki was expertly headed by Timo Baumgartl to Klauss, who, with surgical precision, slotted it home from the six-yard box's edge, ensuring an electrifying finale.

This duel saw St. Louis add just another point to a challenging season, now standing at 3-9-6. Klauss initially put St. Louis on the board with a graceful sequence in the 35th minute, exchanging a neat pass with Marcel Hartel before netting from close range.

However, the Galaxy, stubborn as ever, clawed back when Gabriel Pec equalized before the break, masterfully finishing a centering pass from Marco Reus. Pec, later in the game, capitalized on a slip by St. Louis's Jayden Reid, maneuvering past Burki for a clinical finish that temporarily gave LA the upper hand at 3-2.

Not to be outdone, Klauss responded emphatically early in the second half. Celio Pompeu intercepted a Galaxy error, assisting Klauss, who unleashed a thunderous strike under the crossbar, briefly restoring the lead at 2-1.

The Galaxy persisted, though, tying things up once again through young Matheus Nascimento, who marked his own milestone with a deft finish in only his third MLS start.

The result adds yet another chapter to a burgeoning rivalry. The Galaxy, recent MLS Cup defenders, had celebrated victory over Real Salt Lake to end a season-opening drought, but found themselves stretched thin again by St. Louis, who remain undefeated in their last four encounters against the LA side.