In the next few days or perhaps few weeks, depending on how long D.C. United lasts in these MLS playoffs, Wayne Rooney will settle into a first-class seat and, as he has done several times during a 1½-season tenure in America, cross the Atlantic.
Only this time it will be to stay, the end of a short-but-sweet residence that hoisted United’s international profile and, coinciding with Audi Field’s opening, rekindled local interest in the four-time champions after years of dormancy.
Rooney has delivered extraordinary goals — from beyond midfield, on stellar free kicks, in critical moments — and a tackle/assist last year that will live forever in supporters’ memories.