Wayne Rooney is responsible for an assist that encompasses all of his greatest qualities; drive, determination, versatility, work rate and a will to win at all costs.
On August 13, 2018, while playing for Major League Soccer side DC United – a club he now manages – the former England international gave us a moment to remember.
In the 95th minute, opponents Orlando City were about to create a dangerous goalscoring opportunity on the counter-attack but Rooney, determined to win the ball back, sprinted towards the halfway line. Then this happened.
As you can see in tha footage above, after running back 50 yards, Rooney wins the ball with a slide tackle, gets up and runs back towards goal.
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He looks up and pings a wonderful 30-yard, cross-field ball to Luciano Costa, who knocks in a relatively simple header to win the game in extra time.
Rooney was so exhausted that he didn't even run over to his teammates to celebrate. Now this is what you call a game-winning moment.
Rooney, who quit his role at Derby County this summer after admitting the club needed someone with "fresh energy", was announced as head coach of the MLS side on July 12.
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In his first spell at the club, the 36-year-old joined DC United in June 2018 and went on to score 23 goals in 48 appearances for the Black-and-Red.
DC United co-chairmen Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan are delighted to have Manchester United's all-time top goalscorer on board for the new campaign.
“Wayne is a soccer legend and one of the most exciting and dynamic up-and-coming managers in our sport,” they said in a statement.
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“He’s already proven in his young coaching career that he knows how to lead a group through adversity.
“He has an understanding of our league and what it takes to be successful in Major League Soccer thanks to his two-year stay with us as a player.
“The passion he showed while wearing black and red electrified our city and our club and we are so excited to welcome him back as our head coach.”
Topics: Wayne Rooney, DC United, MLS
Jack Kenmare