D.C. United survived an early exit by star striker Wayne Rooney — which the club said was taken as a precaution following a leg injury — to pick up a 1-0 preseason victory over Bethlehem Steel on Saturday.
Rooney departed 18 minutes into a first half that ended scoreless, but he is expected to be fit for their next friendly vs. FC Cincinnati. Head coach Ben Olsen told the Washington Post that it a bruise.
“I’ve got a few of them before,” Rooney told the Washington Post. “It took longer than I thought to ease down, so no point in taking any chances. I’m not too concerned.”
The Washington Post's Steve Goff, who was on-site for the match, reported that the winner ultimately came from Rooney's substitute Shinya Kadono, a third-round selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft who has yet to sign a contract.
Luciano Acosta did not play in the match, returning from France after a reported big-money move to Paris St. Germain fell through at the end of the European transfer window.
The game was United's first this preseason. They'll face MLS competition for the first time in 2019 next Thursday against FC Cincinnati.
Goals
- DC - Shinya Kadono 57'
D.C. United (1st Half): Bill Hamid -- Akeem Ward, Frederic Brillant, Steven Birnbaum, Leonardo Jara -- Junior Moreno, Chris Durkin -- Zoltan Stieber, Lucas Rodríguez, Ulises Segura -- Wayne Rooney (Shinya Kadono 18')
D.C. United (2nd Half): Earl Edwards Jr. -- Storm (trialist), Donovan Pines, Jalen Robinson, Doue (trialist) -- Shinya Kadono, Antonio Bustamante, academy guest, Alves (trialist) -- academy guest, Kyle Murphy
