Wayne Rooney’s stunning direct free kick lifted D.C. United to a 1-0 win over Toronto FC and extended the Black-and-Red’s lead above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference to four points Wednesday night at Audi Field.
Rooney curled his 33-yard free kick around Toronto FC’s three-man wall and past a diving Alex Bono, who was late to see it, to give D.C. United (13-11-8) the lead on 18 minutes. It was Rooney’s 10th goal of the lead, tying him for the team-lead with Darren Mattocks.
Rooney nearly set up a second goal just before halftime, as Nick DeLeon latched onto his in-swinging corner kick and heading off the head of Yamil Asad and the crossbar before the ball was cleared for a second corner.
In the 57th minute, Rooney laid the ball off to Luciano Acosta, who fired off the left post.
The best chance for Toronto FC (9-17-6) came in the 11th minute when Nick Hagglund met a Michael Bradley corner and put a downward header on frame, but Bill Hamid kicked out to make a spectacular save.
D.C. received a scare later in the first half when it appeared Hamid hyperextended his left knee attempting to corral a cross, but he remained in the game and recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season.
Goals
- 18’ — DC — Wayne Rooney | WATCH
Three Things
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: What a moment of brilliance from Wayne Rooney for the match’s decisive moment.
Next Up
- DC: Sunday, October 21 vs. New York City FC (3 pm ET | TV & Streaming info)
- TOR: Sunday, October 21 at Montreal Impact (3 pm ET | TVAS, TSN - Full TV & Streaming info)
