MLS

Wayne Rooney's 2019 Expectation For DC United? 'To Win The Title'

Wayne Rooney's 2019 Expectation For DC United? 'To Win The Title'

Wayne Rooney, Ben Olsen, and D.C. United know the roster still needs to be rounded out, but they have no lack of confidence headed into the new season.

Jan 23, 2019 by Steven Streff
Wayne Rooney's 2019 Expectation For DC United? 'To Win The Title'

Upon his arrival in the nation’s capital in July 2018, Wayne Rooney and his D.C. United cohorts took Major League Soccer by storm. From last place, the team raced up the league table to host a knockout round playoff game. Rooney, by far the most significant signing in team history, played his part to perfection, contributing 12 goals and seven assists in 20 games before the Black-and-Red bowed out in the playoffs to the Columbus Crew.

With a bit of turmoil this offseason — and Yamil Asad likely not rejoining the team after two productive campaigns in MLS — United began their preparations for the 2019 effort this week in earnest. Although United are still looking to fill out their roster at several positions, Rooney has already settled on what his expectations are for the team in 2019.

“To win the league,” Rooney told reporters during United’s media day when asked about his and the team’s goals for the upcoming season. “We proved in the second half of the season that we were good enough.” 



Once United got Rooney into the fold and settled in, they became one of the league’s best teams in the second half of the season. That was aided in part by a home-heavy schedule at the new Audi Field, but United enjoyed wins over four playoffs teams down the stretch — including both MLS Cup finalists, Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers. 

Rooney reckons, however, to get the team to where they need to be to get into contention, that several more key players are needed to bolster the squad. The acquisition of Lucas Rodriguez should help offset Asad’s assumed departure, but United remain in the market for a backup striker, to go along with a right back, to make up for Nick DeLeon’s departure and Oniel Fisher’s long term injury.

“I think we need a few proven players to help the squad progress to where we want to go,” added Rooney during his media availability.

That was a sentiment echoed by general manager Dave Kasper and head coach Ben Olsen. Both made mention of incoming transfers within the next couple of weeks, as United gear up for their March 3 season opener, at home against Atlanta.



Having Rooney in tow will certainly raise expectations for a club that has not tasted much success this decade. There might not have been as much pressure on the team last year when Rooney arrived, given United’s poor form in the first half of the season, and the uphill battle they faced to get into the playoffs. 

Now that the league knows what Rooney, and by extension, Luciano Acosta and Paul Arriola are capable of, there’ll likely be even more pressure on United in 2019, and pressure to duplicate the success at Audi Field from the year before.

“We have to be confident enough to win the title,” Rooney said. 

And if 2019 is anything like the second half of 2018, confidence should not be a problem for the Black-and-Red.


Steven Streff, a lifelong fan of the beautiful game, has been covering D.C. United since the 2009 season for various outlets. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram.