One Year Ago Today, Wayne Rooney Made The Move To The MLS

A year ago today, Wayne Rooney signed for D.C United and made the move across the pond.

Manchester United and England's all-time top goalscorer signed a three-year contract on 28 June 2018 and has made a monumental impact in the United States.

When he put pen to paper DC were lurched at the very foot of the Eastern Conference table, winning just three games out of 17 prior to Rooney's arrival.

But in next to no-time the 33-year old showed he's still got it. Rooney scored 12 goals and six assists in 19 games to fire D.C into the MLS play-offs where they lost on penalties to Columbus Crew.

Fast forward even further along these season and Rooney has continued to do the business in the MLS, with nine goals and five assists in 16 starts in the 2019 campaign.

D.C have taken 30 points from 18 times and currently occupy third position in the table, just two points off league leaders Philadelphia Union.

And while Rooney isn't anywhere near the charismatic character LA Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimovic is, his entertainment value on the pitch has been second to none.

Image: PA

Rooney memorably turned defence into attack in a stunning piece of play for Luciano Costa's 95th minute winner against Orlando City in August and he then went into score his first MLS hat-trick in March this year.

'Wazza' has also continued to demonstrate his deadly ability from dead-ball situations and from inside his own half - recently scoring his third goal from the halfway line when he leathered in a 70-yard worldie to give D.C a 1-0 win over Orlando City.

"It's been fantastic," Rooney reflected on his first year in the MLS when speaking to the official D.C United website.

"I've enjoyed my time here over the course of the year and there is still a lot more to come. We know we can play better. First half we played well, second half we know we can do better, but the win was the important thing because we haven't won in a few games in the league. Winning today was the main thing."

Topics: America, Football News, Football, Major League Soccer, MLS, Everton, D.C United, Wayne Rooney

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@https://twitter.com/JoshLawless_