Wayne Rooney is perhaps most famous in the MLS for this slide tackle and assist. It was the ultimate proof that he had joined DC United for the right reasons and was still ready to play with his heart and hustle that he was known for at Manchester United. It was really the play of the year in the MLS. Take a look at the Rooney assist versus Orlando in the video below. I don’t think you’ll see a better soccer play.
They’re now calling the play Rooney made versus Orlando the “wonder assist”. Rooney was able to take DC United to the playoffs with his hustle and desire. The cross by Rooney finds Acosta at the back post and he heads it home and then rightly jumps into the stands to celebrate with the DC United fans. Which is better the Rooney slide tackle or the Rooney cross?
Here’s the run down from the MLS and what Rooney said about the play he’d made:
After sizing up the scene in front of him, Rooney took a few touches before floating a pinpoint 50-yard ball to Acosta, who proceeded to out-jump Chris Mueller at the back post. The 5-foot-3 midfielder posterized Mueller to head into the far corner, capping his hat-trick.
“It was strange,” Rooney said after the match. “We went from losing the game, basically, to winning in the space of five seconds. [But] it’s great. They’re the best games of football to win.”
Does this slide tackle and cross by Rooney top any play by a European signing or say the signing of a star player in the MLS? Meaning, does this moment top any play by the likes of Beckham or Ibrahimovic? Perhaps even a more impressive play than the Ibrahimovic volley on his debut for the LA Galaxy?
No wonder DC United now want Wayne Rooney to manage their team.