Hoppe becomes first American to score Bundesliga hat-trick as Schalke finally end 30-game winless run

Matthew Hoppe wrote his name in the history books by becoming the first American to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga after netting three times for Schalke against Hoffenheim.

The 19-year-old California native found the target on 42, 57 and 63 minutes in Schalke’s 4-0 win over Hoffenheim on Saturday.

All three of his efforts were assisted by Amine Harit, who capped a fine personal display with Schalke’s fourth goal on 80 minutes.

Hoppe helped himself to a number of milestones during the game. When netting his first, he became the fourth American teenager to score in the Bundesliga after Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent and Gio Reyna.

His hat-trick saw him break new ground in the German domestic division, while he became the third American - after Clint Dempsey and Pulisic - to net a treble in one of Europe’s top five divisions.

Hoppe is certainly making a name for himself since joining the club from Barca Academy in 2019.

The forward describes making the move to the Bundesliga as a “no-brainer,” as he bids to forge a career in Germany.

"I was coming off of two really, really good seasons in America and I had my eyes set on Europe,” Hoppe told Bundesliga.com. “I got in contact with my agent from Bond MG, Bond Management and he got me the opportunity to do a trial at Schalke. I impressed Norbert [Elgert] and he wanted to bring me out so I came to Schalke.

“They're obviously one of the best teams in the Bundesliga so it was obviously a no-brainer decision to come out here so that I can compete.

"I think that the club fit me because I work hard. That's one of my best attributes I think."

The win over Hoffenheim was Schalke’s first of the season - and snapped a 30-game run without a victory -  and lifted them off the foot of the Bundesliga table.

The aim is to haul themselves out of the relegation spots, and Hoppe will likely have a part to play after his treble on Saturday.

Up next for Hoppe and Schalke is a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on January 17. A win would not be enough to take them out of the bottom three, but it would put them within touching distance of the other sides in relegation trouble.