The Englishman did so much to revitalize Major League Soccer's original superpower this season, yet fit into the locker room so seamlessly, that it's easy to forget United had just two wins all year when he arrived in mid-July.
In the months thereafter, United rocketed so far up the standings that they clinched a playoff berth with a week to go in the regular season. After languishing in last place in early summer, D.C. finished fourth in the Eastern Conference, earning a first-round home game. Though their season ended with a penalty shootout loss to the Columbus Crew at Audi Field, Rooney fully earned his status as a finalist for this year's MVP award.