It’s the night before Christmas and while we’re all accustomed to hearing about a pair of turtle doves this time of year, let's take a look at the four games where Rooney scored a pair of goals for United. All in front of the Black-and-Red faithful at the District's new home for soccer, Audi Field.
Wayne Rooney made a name for himself in England by breaking records. His eye for goal and lethal technique made him one of the greatest players to ever grace the Premier League and international stage. After rising through the ranks at Everton F.C., the Englishman went to Manchester United, debatably the biggest club in the world, and he’s now firmly in control of their goalscoring record after scoring 253 goals in 559 appearances across all competitions.
And It didn't long before he was breaking MLS records for the Black-and-Red.
After coming to D.C. United midway through the season, Rooney still had time to find the net twice in four separate games and break the record for the most braces scored in 2018. The best part about breaking that record for D.C. United fans was that all four occasions resulted in three points for the Black-and-Red.
The first time Rooney delivered a brace to United fans was in the massive 4-1 win against eventual MLS Cup finalists, Portland, on Aug. 15. Audi Field was rocking for the midweek matchup as D.C. United continued to fight for an MLS Playoff spot. Despite conceding the first goal, Rooney was able to get the team back in the match when he coolly slotted the ball past an oncoming Jeff Attinella. While Oniel Fisher scored the game-winner, Rooney added a consolation goal to take the score to 3-1 in a massive confidence booster against a strong Western Conference team.
In games of significant importance, fans expect their stars to rise. Rooney is no stranger to fixtures with a lot on the line and the Montreal match on Sept. 29 was no different. In a must-win game against the Eastern Conference opponent above us in the standings, both Rooney and Luciano Acosta were more than up to the task. Acosta got the ball rolling in the first half with a 17th-minute goal and Rooney added a second for the Black-and-Red just after halftime. He then added the fifth goal for United in the 82nd minute as he secured another brace and an impressive 5-0 win against Montreal.
Every game was critical to United towards the end of the season. Rooney showed his class to the District and the rest of the league when he followed up his brace performance against Montreal with another pair of goals against Chicago on Oct. 7. After going down early to the Fire, Rooney scored the equalizer in the 62nd minute then buried a penalty in the 82nd minute to give the Black-and-Red another important three points.
If he hadn’t already done enough for Black-and-Red fans in 2018, Rooney made sure to give fans one more thing to be happy about in the last regular season game at Audi Field. With playoff qualification on the line, D.C. United went up against a New York City FC team led by Spanish legend David Villa. Tension was in the air at Audi Field but United were quick to reassure fans of the quality that they had become accustomed to at their new home. Rooney set the tone in the 8th minute with a tap-in goal on the heels of an incredible individual effort by Acosta. The Argentine midfield maestro scored one of his own then the United captain stepped up to take a penalty to give the Black-and-Red a 3-0 lead and an unlikely qualification to the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Four games, four braces, eight goals and restoring joy to D.C. United fans everywhere. Rooney is the gift that keeps giving.
After all this talk about braces… brace yourself for the big day tomorrow! Get your pajamas on, spend time with your fellow Black-and-Red supporters and we will see you in the morning to celebrate one of the most magical days of the year, Christmas!
