There's just something about Wayne Rooney and the Lions.
In this case, we're not talking about the England national team, where Rooney is the all-time leading scorer. No, we're talking about Orlando City, as the D.C. United star has found a way to make a jaw-dropping play against the MLS side every time he's played them so far.
First, there was "The Tackle," the moment in the 2018 season where D.C., tied 2-2 deep in stoppage time at Audi Field, needed a last-second miracle from Rooney and got it. With an empty D.C. goal behind him, he tackled the ball on a counterattack from Will Johnson near the halfway line, then sent a bomb of an early cross up to the box, and incredibly, found Luciano Acosta, who scored the winner.
Then, in the teams' first meeting this season, Rooney hit a near-olimpico, a free kick goal from deep in the corner that stunned Orlando.
He topped that with Wednesday's effort, a driven strike from behind the halfway line that beat out Orlando City goalkeeper Brian Rowe and proved to be the game-winner.
When asked why he seems to have such highlight-worthy plays against Orlando, the star said there was nothing personal against the team in purple.
"Just coincidence. Nothing against Orlando at all," he said to reporters on Wednesday after the game, shrugging, "I've enjoyed the games against them and as you said, in the three games I've played against them [there's] been three great moments, hopefully next time we play there will be a fourth."
