Chris Cleary, a 25-year-old Washington, D.C., native who grew up in Massachusetts, became the first American to notch a hat trick in the English FA Cup when he led his semipro Worksop Town to a 3-2 win over Droylesden Saturday in the third qualifying round before a crowd of 485.
Cleary played youth ball at Southshore United, Charles River United, Greater Boston Eagles and Noble Greenough High School before starring at Boston College. He played two years of lower division ball in Germany before landing in England.
Worksop Town meets Alfreton Town Oct. 30. The winner advances to the FA Cup first-round proper, at which point England's professional clubs enter the competition. Worksop earned $9,000 for advancing to the fourth qualifying round.