Wayne Rooney represented D.C. United in tonight’s MLS All-Star Game, as the collection of a mix of MLS’s best players and/or their most popular players fell 3-0 to Atlético Madrid in Orlando.
Wearing an unfamiliar #23 shirt, Rooney lined up in central midfield, as Orlando City head coach James O’Connor sent the All-Stars out in a 4141 formation. Rooney got to showcase his long-range passing ability, routinely switching fields for Carlos Vela and Nani on the wings. Those passes were by and large the main source of attacking play from the All-Stars during the first half.
However, despite those threats, MLS managed just one shot attempt in that first 45 minutes. As United fans this season, you can probably guess who had it: Rooney, from long range, very nearly gave the All-Stars the lead with a blistering shot:
.@WayneRooney inches from adding to the fireworks here in Orlando. #MLSAllStar Game pres. by @Targetpic.twitter.com/zhMc7blDfe
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 1, 2019
Naturally, this being MLS, the officiating crew ignored the clear deflections to give a goal kick.
More importantly for United fans, Rooney did not appear to pick up any sort of injury or knock, so he should be good to go for Sunday’s far, far, far more important game against the Philadelphia Union.