When Wayne Rooney arrived to D.C. United, the esteemed English forward was expected to immediately contribute on the attack while also elevating the play of the Black-and-Red’s existing talent. United's new captain has done just that as he’s quickly become acclimated with the team’s promising core to form a formidable squad that’s now vying for an Eastern Conference playoff spot with their vast second-half improvement.
Rooney’s full arsenal of skill was on display in Sunday’s win over Atlanta United as he got on the scoresheet himself and set up the players around him. His two assists came on crafty passes chipped ahead to spring Acosta for breakaway goals—one pass coming from a quick touch, one coming from a flicked header.
In between his two assists, the striker led a pass in for Paul Arriola who was then taken down in the box, resulting in a D.C. United penalty kick. Rooney calmly stepped to the spot and buried the go-ahead goal, helping shift the night's momentum in favor of the Black-and-Red for the remainder of the match.
With Rooney in the fold, United's offensive output has surged, and the midfield's ability to go on the counterattack and strike fast has helped the Black-and-Red win six of their eight at Audi Field. Since Rooney made his MLS debut on July 14 against Vancouver, the Black-and-Red have scored 19 goals in 11 games and have increased their chances created.
Rooney's influence on the Black-and-Red extends well beyond the goals column, though. Since July 14, United are also completing an average of 54 more passes per game than they completed in the first 14 games of the season and are passing at an 80-percent success rate, one of their highest rates of the year.
The increased passing proficiency since Rooney’s arrival demonstrates the heightened level of cohesiveness among the whole lineup, but the captain has combined to form one of the league’s most dynamic pairings with Acosta in particular. Since their initial pairing, the two have combined for 10 of the team’s 21 goals and eight of the team’s 21 assists, including their viral game-winning play to down Orlando.
"The second Wayne [Rooney] got here, they [Rooney and Acosta] created a good bond on the field," United head coach Ben Olsen said. "They're both very good soccer players and it's been fun to watch them."
Despite the short time that the two have played together and the language barrier, Acosta and Rooney’s 10-goal output makes them the fourth-highest goal-scoring tandem in the MLS since their first pairing on July 14.
With his newfound running-mate, Acosta has doubled his shots and big scoring chances. The creative Argentine is also completing 14 more passes per game at an 80 percent clip and has generated five big chances for his teammates.
"I have said it many times before but he is a very intelligent player," Acosta said of Rooney. "He knows where he is at all times and we have to play off him. We are lucky that he is on the team and we can learn from him."
Besides the stat lines, Rooney’s addition to United has also brought a commanding sense of leadership to the pitch and locker room, which, combined with the forward's other on-field contributions, has resulted in a rise in the standings and a belief that the Black-and-Red can be true contenders in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
"We needed somebody on the field that could take the reins, and I think Wayne has really helped out in that department," Olsen said. "He's a selfless winner and has come here to prove himself, even though he doesn't need to."
