Rooney on target again as United close on playoffs

635

WASHINGTON, Oct 18, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Wayne Rooney scored a stunning free-
kick to keep D.C. United firmly on course for the Major League Soccer
postseason on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC.

Former England and Manchester United star Rooney, whose arrival in
Washington has transformed the club’s season, curled in a superb strike from
30 yards in the 18th minute to settle the points.

The victory leaves United four points clear of Montreal Impact, their
closest rivals for a playoff spot, with 47 points from 32 games in the
Eastern Conference standings.

Montreal, who are just outside the postseason places in seventh, have 43
points from 42 games.

United are now unbeaten in eight games and are in control of their playoff
destiny with two rounds of fixtures in the regular season left to play.
Rooney’s side face New York City FC on Sunday before closing the season
against Chicago on October 28.

United’s playoff charge has been traced back to Rooney’s arrival in July.
The 32-year-old former England captain called time on his Premier League
career earlier this year after leaving Everton.

When Rooney arrived, United were bottom of the Eastern Conference with only
two wins from 14 fixtures, but since then the capital club has surged up the
table into the postseason reckoning