A few minutes after D.C. United’s 2-0 victory over Seattle last weekend, captain Wayne Rooney walked past Frederic Brillant in the Audi Field locker room and, while trying to hide a smile, said, “My goal.”
Both laughed. It was, in fact, Brillant’s goal, a one-touch finish from the doorstep on a free kick by Rooney that, if not for the French defender’s redirection, likely would have ended up in the net anyway.
Given the dearth of attention Brillant has received for his defensive contributions, a moment in the spotlight was long overdue — even if it was for a goal, just his fourth in four MLS regular seasons.