Cory Burke Returns to Play with SKN St. Pölten

​With more leagues returning to action around the world, Cory Burke returned to work with SKN St. Pölten on Tuesday, June 2nd, scoring a hat trick while adding an assist. The game would mark Cory's third start in four games for SKN St. Pölten as they took on host WSG Swarovski Wattens in Innsbruck.

Cory would get on the scoreboard in the 9th minute of the match, putting SKN St. Pölten up 2-0 early on. Burke was able to capitalize on an error from the WSG Swarovski Wattens defender, take two touches, and beat the goalkeeper at his near post. Cory's second goal of the match would come six minutes later in the 15th minute; as his teammate sent in a cross, Cory got behind the two opposing center-backs to blast a powerful right-footed shot to the goalie's left of the net. Cory would then complete his hat trick in the 54th minute of the game as SKN St. Pölten would break on the counterattack. Cory would send another right-footed shot to the goalies right this time, putting SKN St. Pölten up 4-0. (For highlights of this match, go to Cory's Instagram @CoryBurke19)


Cory's hat trick for SKN St. Pölten marks four multi-goal games in his last eleven played. Cory scored three braces with Jamaican side Portmore United before he was loaned out to SKN St. Pölten. With the season concluding July 4th, there are nine games left for SKN St. Pölten in the Austrian Bundesliga.

​Union head coach Jim Curtin spoke to MLS.com on May 27th and spoke in regards to Cory Burke:

"He has a job to do right now, and I hope he scores some goals and helps his team out," Curtin said of the Jamaican international. "But at the same time, we're eager to get him back as well. He's a really talented striker. And if you drop him in with the three great strikers we already have, that's a really, really great pair, a really great group."

There's no denying that if Burke can continue his scoring form for SKN St. Pölten, the Union will be getting a red hot striker in peak shape when the MLS tournament in Orlando takes place in early July. The MLSPA and league owners avoided a lockout and agreed to a ratified CBA until 2025, according to ESPN's Jeff Carlisle.

The third-place game for our Union Quiz Series between Ed Fagan and Ricky Zellefrow drops this Friday, June 5th, so don't forget to listen and subscribe!