D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney is set to be honored by The Football Association for his record-breaking international career, and will receive one final cap for England in their friendly vs. the United States at Wembley on November 15 (3 pm ET | ESPN2, UniMás), it was announced Sunday.
Rooney, 33, joined D.C. this summer after a glittering career with Manchester United and Everton, as well as on the international stage with England. His appearance vs. the United States will be the 120th of his international career. That game will also be called The Wayne Rooney Foundation International in support of the player's charitable interests.
“I am truly humbled and hugely excited to play for England at Wembley again,” Rooney said. “I would like to thank [England manager] Gareth Southgate and The FA for inviting me back and helping to support my Foundation in the process.
“Playing for England was the greatest honor of my career – so winning my 120th, and final, cap will be a particularly special moment for me. It’s fitting that the match will be against the USA and I hope that both sets of fans enjoy the game.”
Since arriving in D.C. in July, Rooney scored 12 goals and recorded 7 assists in his first 20 MLS appearances, leading United on a late-season run to the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
At the international level, Rooney is already the most-capped outfield player in England history, and is the country's top scorer with 53 goals in 119 appearances to date. He has featured in three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014) and three European Championships (2004, 2012, 2016) for the Three Lions, and captained the squad at Euro 2016.
“This tribute to Wayne is a unique opportunity that is befitting of our nation’s record goalscorer,” said Southgate. “We’re fortunate that circumstances have allowed us to formally acknowledge Wayne’s immense contribution to England in front of the Wembley crowd and against apt opponents given the recent impact he has made in MLS.”
