One of the weekend’s marquee MLS matchups will reportedly be missing one of the league’s top stars.
D.C. United has travelled south to take on Atlanta United in a clash of two Eastern Conference heavyweights, however, Ben Olsen’s side will have to face the task without striker Wayne Rooney.
The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Rooney has suffered “minor injuries,” and was given clearance by D.C. to travel with his family to England instead.
“There are some signs of wear and tear, some little niggling things,” Coach Ben Olsen said. “It’s just time to give him a mental and physical break. It’s that simple. It’s not something we want to push right now.”
This season, Rooney is tied for fourth in MLS for goals scored, with 11, while also adding a team-high seven assists.
The 33-year-old Designated Player was recently named to the upcoming MLS All-Star Game roster against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, as well as the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge.
of course it also be that whole hooker thing…
It is a whole different game in the states. Take a game off at Man U, they could play with 10 back then and still win, while they put in another big gun and won easily.
Tougher here, competitive games where every game affects the standings.
In a way I predicted this. When he was first signed I said he would do well the rest of that season because he was coming in the Middle of MLS and DC United had almost all their remaining games at home because they began the season on the road do to the construction of their new stadium. Then, I figured he would do well the first half of the next (this ) season and the test would be in the summer when he had to face both long distance travel and heat, both of which he was unfamiliar with. So it’s no surprise that they are giving him extra time off.