United midfielder Luciano Acosta and forward Wayne Rooney were named to MLS' Team of the Week for Week 24 after a spectacular performance in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Orlando City SC Sunday night at Audi Field. Acosta scored a hat trick, including the game-winner in stoppage time, while Rooney assisted on Acosta's first and final goals of the evening.
It was a stellar performance for the young Argentine, who recorded the first hat trick for United since Patrick Mullins scored four times against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 23, 2017. Acosta now has four goals this season.
Meanwhile Rooney delivered what was undoubtedly a signature performance as the Black-and-Red's new captain when he made a game-saving 35-yard run to win the ball from Orlando's Will Johnson, then miraculously found Acosta with a long diagonal cross for the game-winning header. The moment went viral as soccer fans around the world were reminder of Rooney's trademark intensity and leadership as he willed the Black-and-Red to victory.
“Seeing a player like Wayne make that effort and run all the way back and make that tackle, put in that work, it motivates all of us, especially with the euphoria of the game," Acosta told the media following the match. "It all comes back to Mister Wayne.”
Since arriving in the District, Rooney has helped Acosta find a new gear, and has elevated the play of everyone on the team. Before Sunday night's hat trick, Acosta had never scored more than once in a game as a member of the Black-and-Red.
This is the the first time Rooney has been named to MLS' Team of the Week and the third time for Acosta, who was named to the bench in Week 23. For the full team of the week, see below.
F: Tajouri-Shradi (NYC), Zardes (CLB), Rooney (DC)
M: Acosta (DC), Acosta (COL), Adams (RBNY), Lodeiro (SEA)
D: Besler (SKC), Elliott (PHI), Marshall (SEA)
GK: Marinovic (VAN)
Bench: Howard (COL), Bush (MTL), Boxall (MIN), Valenzuela (CLB), Rosell (ORL), Ilie (SKC), Higuain (CLB)
Coach: Jim Curtin (PHI)
