Wayne Rooney has captivated the DC region in his first year with DC United
If there is one thing that the city of Washington D.C knows well it is the idea of someone coming to this city with lots of gusto, promising hope before they arrive, and leaving us unfulfilled and unhappy. Politicians do it every two to four years.
The sports teams here know the drill and act accordingly. The Washington Wizards had the promise of Chris Webber, Gilbert Arenas or even the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, among those that have disappointed DC sports fans. The Nationals have a shorter history in this city but guys like Jason Werth and soon to leave outfielder Bryce Harper have kept the tradition of underwhelming alive. The Washington Redskins have turned this into an art form, with names such as Deion Sanders, Robert Griffin III, or my personal most/least favorite: Albert Haynesworth, have crushed spirits for years in the DC area.
When Wayne Rooney signed with the DC United this June, jaded residents of our Nation’s capital greeted this news with excitement but trepidation. The Former England and Manchester United player was coming off of a relatively pedestrian season at Everton and the move looked like Rooney trying to capture one more major paycheck before he rides off into retirement.
For once, Washington DC’s cynicism was unfounded. Since his debut match with DC where he assisted on a Paul Arriola goal after coming on in the 59th minute, the England International has been the breath of fresh air lifting the club from listlessness. With 12 goals in 20 appearances, Rooney has lifted a team from the bottom of the Eastern Conference right into the playoffs and brought about renewed excitement to the DC area sport scene.
What Rooney and United have been able to accomplish (along with what Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals were able to do when they won the Stanley Cup in the spring) is that they’ve brought a real culture change to the DC sports fan’s mindset. This is a town that revolves solely around the Washington Redskins. The sports culture around the region is defined by the mediocrity that the Redskins have given off for a little over two decades. The mediocrity and the mindset it engenders has seeped into the character of the DC area sports fan. Rooney and the performance of DC United has done something to change that. They’ve won (something this region isn’t used to) and they’ve looked incredible in doing so.
The new look United team with Rooney as its star, has been revitalized with the Englishman’s dazzling individual performances, coupled with his selfless ability to make his teammates better. This change in the club’s fortunes have awoken a long dormant fan base waiting for something to wake them up. In the early months of the season, before moving into their gorgeous new home, Audi Field, DC United were a team without direction and desire. Their “home” matches in nearby DC suburbs had the energy of a nursing home and United’s performance reflected that energy.
While the move to Audi Field has had a hand in changing the culture, it has really been the energy that Rooney and the club have ignited within the club that makes it such a formidable place to play. There is no greater example of the renewed energy brought to the club than Rooney’s world class tackle and assists to lead United to victory over Orlando at home in the closing seconds of the match.
As Luciano Acosta heads the Rooney pass into back of the net and celebrates with the raucous supporter section, DC’s long dormant soccer fandom awoke. This was a play seen around the world, on Sportscenter, on DC’s local news. This was a play that people in the area talked about at their local bars. Even during the heyday of DC United, the team never really crossed over into the culture of our region. Rooney and United have changed that.
The nation’s capital is primed to finally embrace DC United. The DC region is often either number one or two in the United States in Premier League viewership. This is a region that is ready to embrace soccer. Unfortunately for fans in the region, they haven’t had a local team to really believe in to bring their love for the sport closer to home. With the rise of United and the spirit that Rooney has brought to the region, that looks like it is starting to change.
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