D.C. United Forward Wayne Rooney Voted MLS Player of the Week

March 18, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release

D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney
(D.C. United, Credit: USA Today Sports Images)

Rooney helped D.C. United to a dominant 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake at Audi Field on Saturday with three goals and one assist, the first hat trick of his MLS career. After posting its third consecutive shutout, D.C. sits tied atop the Eastern Conference with seven points (2-0-1 overall record).

The English icon opened the scoring after converting a penalty kick in the 34th minute to give D.C. United a 1-0 advantage. Moments later, Rooney added a second goal in the 41st minute with a calmly finished flick over the goalkeeper from the center of the box to give D.C. a 2-0 lead.

Rooney completed his hat trick with a tap in directly in front of goal, bringing D.C.'s lead to 3-0 in the 65th minute. Lucas Rodriguez then finished a Rooney corner kick with a stunning first-time volley from the edge of the box in the 76th minute for a 4-0 lead.

D.C. United return to action on Sunday, March 31 when facing Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium (6:30 p.m. ET., FS1 / FOX Deportes / FOX Sports Go).

The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.

D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney (USA Today Sports Images)

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