DC United 1 – Orlando City SC 0
In what is the early front-runner for MLS Goal of the year, Wayne Rooney’s 68 yard strike in the 10th minute proved to be all the scoring needed for DC United’s 1-0 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday night at Audi Field.
With the ball landing at the feet of Rooney off of an Orlando City deflection in the United half, Rooney’s keen awareness of Orlando keeper Brian Rowe being well outside the 18 yard box led to the Englishman launching a shot nearly 68 yards away from goal. As Rowe attempted to backtrack and dive for the ball, Rooney’s shot gently floated beyond Rowe’s out-streched fingers, taking one bounce and into the back of the net. The wonder goal is eerily reminiscent of a goal he scored in his last stint in the Premier League with Everton but even further out. Rooney’s strike was the centerpiece of a first half mostly controlled by DC.
As the second half started, Orlando began to put pressure on United, looking for an equalizer. Orlando’s best attempt at getting back into the match came in the 58th minute, as Orlando defender Carlos Ascues’ cross into the box was blocked and cleared by United’s Bill Hamid for a corner. Hamid continues his impressive season, recording his league leading eight clean sheet of the season.
DC seemingly scored a second goal in the 73rd minute off of a Ulises Segura, only to have the goal disallowed for an offsides call after video review.
With the victory, DC United moves into a tie into second place in the MLS Eastern Conference on points with the Montreal Impact with 30 points on the season and will hope to continue to add to their season point total on Saturday at home against Toronto FC. Orlando remains ninth in the East with a Saturday match on the road in Columbus.
In the meantime please enjoy some of our photos from the match courtesy of Prost photographer Joshua Ganzermiller. You can check out more of his work on our D.C. United SmugMug page or give him a shoutout on Twitter.
