For D.C. United, this week, disaster struck. Designated Player and indisputable star Wayne Rooney returned to his homeland to take a player-coach role with Championship side, Derby County — what this says about Major League Soccer is best not thinking about here, although it is certainly worrying that someone would rather play for/coach a middling second-tier English team than be the star in an MLS Cup contender.
Rooney travelled to England this week to finalise an 18-month deal that will begin in 2020, at the conclusion of D.C. United’s campaign. The striker cited wanting to be closer to his family as a major reason for his return, as well as the opportunity to open up avenues in a potential coaching career upon his playing retirement.