D.C. United rode Wayne Rooney's spectacular moment of brilliance to a nervy 1-0 win over Orlando City at Audi Field on Wednesday night, D.C.'s first MLS win since May 12 after an 0W-1L-4D stretch.
Rooney struck after just 10 minutes with something special, taking advantage of an Orlando giveaway following a corner kick to drive a 70-yard shot over goalkeeper Brian Rowe, who had ventured outside the penalty area. The shot was so accurate that it landed on the goal line, giving Rooney his second magical moment at Audi Field against Orlando City in only 10 months' time.
From there, however, D.C. United labored. Orlando City looked more dangerous at times in the first half and controlled most of the second half, taking twice as many shots as D.C. down the stretch. Bill Hamid, however, only had to make three saves to record the shutout, with Chris Mueller's near-post drive in the 49th minute the best most difficult.
Orlando City are 2W-5L-0D in their last seven games and sit in 8th place, just four points outside the playoff zone. Meanwhile, D.C. United move to within two points of first-place Philadelphia in the East.
Goals
- 10' – DC – Wayne Rooney | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Rooney's goal will get the headlines, the clicks and could be another transcendent moment for the club. But the rest of the night was disappointing, as D.C. United surrendered possession too easily and had a jubilant second goal by Ulises Segura called back by Video Review for an offside decision. They remain contenders but not favorites in the East. Orlando showed some of the progress that has been on display in their run to the US Open Cup quarterfinals but remain a step down in class from the conference's top teams.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Well, duh. This time Wayne Rooney didn't leave it until the last second. It was just the 10th minute when Rooney took aim from 70 yards and brought the house down.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Steve Birnbaum was fantastic at the heart of the D.C. United defense, no matter what was thrown at him. He also had the next most important play after Rooney's goal, sliding from behind to poke the ball off the boot of Mueller inside the 6-yard box in the 58th minute.
Next Up
- DC: Sat., June 29 vs. Toronto FC (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; TSN2 in Canada)
- ORL: Sat., June 29 at Columbus Crew SC (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; DAZN in Canada)
