Wayne Rooney’s magical first MLS season continued Sunday when he lifted D.C. United, in last place in the Eastern Conference when the Englishman arrived in July, into the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
And for the second time in the last two months, Rooney was named the Alcatel MLS Player of the Week, nabbing the Week 34 honor as voted on by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).
In the regular season's penultimate week, the 32-year-old striker scored from a free kick to lead his team over Toronto FC on Wednesday and followed it up by scoring twice to lead D.C. to a 3-1 playoff-clinching win over New York City FC.
He opened the scoring on Sunday in the eighth minute, tapping one in after partner-in-crime Luciano Acosta weaved through several NYC defenders and set up Rooney, who later returned the favor by playing provider on Acosta’s 24th-minute goal.
Rooney added his team-leading 12th goal of the season (in only 19 games) on a second-half penalty kick to ice United’s fifth straight victory.
Rooney and D.C. close the regular season Sunday at the Chicago Fire (4:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info) in their first road match since Sept. 8. A win or even a tie could push them into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, giving them a home Knockout Round game at their new digs at Audi Field.
The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada.
