With his start against the New York Red Bulls, United forward Wayne Rooney made his 500th career league appearance at Red Bull Arena on Sunday night. Rooney has made 393 league appearances for Manchester United (183 goals, 93 assists), 98 league appearances for Everton (25 goals, 10 assists), and nine league appearances for the Black-and-Red (three goals, three assists).
While Rooney has already had one of the most successful international soccer careers of all time, the forward has also made an immediate impact in the District since joining the Black-and-Red on June 28, 2018. The forward has tallied three goals and three assists in his first nine appearances, and has already endeared himself to many United fans thanks to his warrior nature on the pitch.
Rooney scored his first career Major League Soccer goal against Colorado on July 28, but he also garnered praise for his tough defense at the end of the match. As Colorado filled the box for a last-second corner kick in search of an equalizer, Rooney aggressively contested for the ball and helped prevent a late Rapids opportunity, knocking in to a Colorado player which resulted in a broken nose and bloody gash, requiring five stitches. The goal and staunch defending ultimately helped United secure the 2-1 victory.
No moment has put the striker's resolve to win more on display than the final play of the August 12 match against Orlando, though. With the score deadlocked and United filling the box for a last gasp corner kick, Orlando cleared the ball and looked primed to score on United's empty net for the win. Rooney sprinted back as the ball sputtered back toward United's vacated goal, though, winning a tackle against the Lions, recovering the ball, and sending a perfectly-placed 30-yard cross to the far post for Luciano Acosta to head home the game winner.
In addition to Rooney's direct scoresheet contributions, the forward has helped elevate the play of those around him, especially in the midfield. Since Rooney's addition, Acosta in particular has upped his production rate. The Argentine has scored four goals and added three assists in the nine matches since the two first appeared together on July 14, in comparison to his one goal in the 14 games prior to Rooney's acquisition.
Even with 500 career league appearances under his belt, Rooney continues to impress with his grittiness, leadership, and world-class talent. And while Sunday's 1-0 defeat is more disappointing than the milestone is rewarding for Rooney, the forward and the rest of the Black-and-Red now quickly set their sights on another two massive home games this week—versus the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, Aug. 29 and against Atlanta United on Sunday, Sept. 2.
