Skip to content

Rooney helps D.C. United reach playoffs; Crew, Impact battling for last spot

Icon Sportswire / Getty

Wayne Rooney has led D.C. United to a once-unthinkable playoff spot.

Courtesy of the midseason addition's brace on Sunday at home to New York City FC, United have overcome a horrid start to the campaign to make the Eastern Conference playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

Rooney scored inside of 10 minutes and again from the penalty spot with a quarter of an hour to play in a 3-1 victory that sees United vault the Philadelphia Union for fourth place. The sixth and final playoff position will come down to the final matchday after Montreal's win against rival Toronto FC and the Columbus Crew's 2-1 defeat at Orlando City left the matter unsettled.

The former Manchester United star also assisted on Luciano Acosta's 24th-minute goal as Ben Olsen's squad won a fifth match on the bounce after starting the season with five losses in eight. Rooney, who joined United in June on a three-and-a-half year deal, has registered 14 goals and seven assists in 20 appearances for the club.

Elsewhere, Sacha Kljestan bagged a 95th-minute penalty for Orlando City that leaves Columbus in sixth on 48 points, just a pair ahead of Montreal after Ignacio Piatti's two-goal display at home was the difference against a limp TFC.

The top spot in the east and Supporters' Shield honors will also come down to the final matchday. The New York Red Bulls' 1-0 victory in Philly keeps the five-time regular season conference winners a point back of Atlanta United. New York hosts bottom dwellers Orlando next Sunday, while Atlanta travels to Toronto. Columbus welcomes Minnesota United while Montreal visits the New England Revolution in the battle for the final spot in the East.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox