Wayne Rooney's 'welcome to D.C.' moment

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Photo credit Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

To be fair, midfielder Luciano Acosta deserves the credit for scoring the hat-trick in a 3-2 victory for D.C. United over Orlando City on Sunday night.

But he wouldn't be celebrating without the Herculean effort of United newcomer Wayne Rooney, who saved the game and collected an assist on the game-winning goal.

Indeed, this is the type of gritty effort that made Rooney one of the greatest players in the world over the last 16 years:

ARE YOU KIDDING US, @WayneRooney????? AMAZING!!!!! #DCvORL https://t.co/Iys5sJBDOs

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 13, 2018

With the game tied at two in the 71st minute, United needed to break through and pulled its goalie for a one-man advantage. When Orlando got the ball to Will Johnson, there was no one between him and the empty United goal, at least until Rooney got on his horse and intercepted him.

After taking him out with a form slide tackle, Rooney dribbled the ball back up the sideline before finding Acosta lingering on the other side of the pitch, near the goal.

He launched a pass and made Acosta a hero.

That's why D.C. United pulled off the blockbuster trade to bring in Rooney. Welcome to D.C.

 

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