Wayne Rooney scored a majestic game-winning free kick in the 18th minute to help DC United beat Toronto FC 1-0 and inch closer to the playoffs Wednesday night.
The former Man United captain’s sensational goal was his tenth this season and a crucial game-winner that took his team three points closer to a playoff spot with two games remaining. DC United is clinging for a final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and leads competitors’ Montreal Impact with four points (47-43).
Scoring his sixth in five games, Rooney is on top form and shows the kind of passion his former club seems to lack. After scoring the stunner, the 32-year-old hit the woodwork and was called offside in what would have been a hat trick for him.
DC United now rank one point behind Columbus in the Eastern Conference but would be really lucky to upsurge the Crew for a fifth spot. Columbus will face struggling sides Orlando City and Minnesota United while United will have to rely on a win over NYC FC or Chicago to seal a playoff position.
Another route will be to hope Montreal losses to neighbors Toronto this Sunday or falls to eight placed New England on the 28th. Both games are tough for seventh-placed Montreal but they have more to lose and will be hoping to seal victories in both games.
