It’s the final stretch of the MLS regular season, and D.C. United players must face the pressure of the playoff chase. The Black-and-Red came into Wednesday night’s match against Toronto FC with the understanding that if they win two of their last three games, they will clinch a playoff spot. But the midweek match also marked a busy stretch in the schedule, with three games in ten days and a couple of key players missing from their lineup, including Paul Arriola and Júnior Moreno.
It was a night when D.C. United needed a leader and a key play and they found both in their captain, Wayne Rooney. The forward's goal in the 18th minute was the defining moment in the Black-and-Red’s 1-0 victory over Toronto FC, and he went about it in spectacular fashion.
The goal came off a stunning 33-yard free kick—Rooney stepped up to the ball and sent it soaring past Toronto’s three-man wall and their diving goalkeeper, Alexander Bono, to score what would ultimately be the game-winner.
“I was 50-50 on whether to shoot,” Rooney said after the match. “I just fancied it.”
“We see it in training. He’s always taking reps at training, and it’s pretty impressive, the percentage of how many hit the net,” Head Coach Ben Olsen said. “It’s exciting to have a player like that over the ball in those moments. And I think today was a day where we needed a moment.”
Rooney’s goal was another jaw-dropping moment seen around the world, but the forward's solid performance throughout the entirety of the match was also not overlooked by his head coach.
“I thought he was sharp from the get-go tonight,” Olsen said. “Take the free kick out of it, I thought his play overall was some of the best soccer I’ve seen from him to date with us.”
With his goal, three chances created, and a number of strong defensive plays in another full 90-minute shift, Rooney again showed why he has been one of keys to turning United into a playoff-contending team. After the match against Toronto, Olsen also emphasized Rooney's non-statistical strengths: his work ethic and the influence that he has over United's younger players.
“This is what he seems to love to do, play and win,” Olsen said. “His habits are so contagious to some of our young guys. How to go about the game and make the right play and dig in when you need to. On both sides of the ball, his habits are great and no one else can look at that and not follow his lead.”
Since Rooney’s arrival in late June, United have climbed back from the depths of the Eastern Conference standings. After defeating Toronto FC on Wednesday, they now have an opportunity to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win this Sunday against New York City FC at home. The match also marks their final home game of the regular season and the Audi Field inaugural season. Don't miss your chance to cheer the Black-and-Red toward the playoffs one more time—get your tickets here.
