Wayne Rooney’s first season in MLS came to a disappointing end on Thursday night as the former England captain missed a penalty in a shootout defeat to Columbus crew in the first round of the playoffs.
DC United were bottom of the Eastern Conference when Rooney arrived in July, but he inspired to the playoffs after a late-season run of form.
That upturn led some to believe United could make a deep run in the playoffs but Thursday’s match ended in a 2-2 draw, and Rooney missed the first of his team’s penalties in the shootout. Nick DeLeon and Luciano Acosta were the other men to miss for DC.
DeLeon had earlier been the hero for DC United after he hit a stunning equaliser with four minutes to go in extra-time. Frederic Brillant has put United up in the 16th minute before Federico Higuain levelled the scores from close range 15 minutes later. Higuain scored again early in extra-time before DeLeon responded.
The shootout win was familiar for the Crew: they beat Atlanta United in the first round of last year’s playoffs on penalties. They now face the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, with Atlanta United facing New York City FC in the other semi-final.
A rough end to a great season for Wayne Rooney.
Rooney has his penalty saved and was eliminated from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/kEEk57DvBj
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 2, 2018