A lot of top players from all over the globe come to play in Major League Soccer towards the end of their careers. Many of them do it for the money, but some are actually eager to perform and keep their reputation intact.
It seems like the English forward Wayne Rooney is part of the latter. Many may have forgotten how good Rooney actually was because of his decline in the past season or two. However, the man is not only incredibly gifted but also full of running and desire.
This is why the news of him signing with DC United was exciting for the soccer fans in the US. He might be past his prime, but Rooney is still a great player, and we’ve already seen that. In his first couple of games for DC United, the forward already managed to assist a couple of goals, score some himself, and break his nose.
He was also named the captain of his side, and obviously, Wayne Rooney is determined to play as well as he can and not simply cash in at the end of his career. This is excellent news, as the man brings a lot to the MLS.
Let’s take a look at the ways he could impact the competition and soccer in the USA, in general.
Some fans love players who are technically gifted and can do things with the soccer ball very few could match. Others are more attracted to fierce warriors with a never-say-never attitude. Well, both groups will be happy to watch Wayne Rooney on the pitch.
The man is an absolute beast who never gives up and never stops running. At the same time, he can pass, score, and dribble thanks to his exceptional vision and talent.
In his young years, you could see Rooney cross the whole pitch on a sprint and tackle his opponent to get the ball and the score at the other end.
Well, he did something similar against Orlando in the MLS. Rooney’s clutch tackle prevented the opponent from finding the net, with the score 2-2 in the last minute of extra time. But this wasn’t enough for the Englishman, who then proceeded to assist the winning goal 10 seconds later.
A couple of days later, the forward scored a brace to help DC United beat the Portland Timbers 4-1. Wayne Rooney has only played 5 games in the MLS so far, and we already know that he will be one of the players to watch.
You could expect everything – from goals and assist to last-ditch tackles. Because that’s who Wayne Rooney is, and his age is not that big of a problem in any league outside of the top 5 European tournaments.
It’s a blessing for US soccer fans, as they will be able to witness true greatness in the next couple of years from a man who has a unique skill set.
We all know that soccer is not the most popular sport in the USA, and the likes of basketball, football, and baseball have more fans.
Still, the fan base is growing all the time, and you can see the attendance rising each year. As a result, more and more kids are playing soccer from an early age.
Rooney might not have the charisma of Zlatan Ibrahimovic or David Beckham. He’s probably a bit behind them in terms of pure skills, too.
However, there are few soccer players in this world who can match Wayne Rooney’s heart. The man always leaves everything on the pitch, and you can always tell that.
This is why I believe Wayne Rooney will be the role model for a lot of kids who will grow up watching him play in the MLS.
The world of soccer has gotten so full of money and greedy agents that we often see young talents destroyed. Once they are discovered at a tender age, they receive all kinds of lucrative offers, as well as all the attention in the world by the fans and the media.
Not all of them manage to stay on their feet and keep it professional. Many crack under such circumstances, as the big money and fame that come so early kill their hunger to work hard and develop their potential.
This has even happened to some players in the US, too, most notably Freddy Adu, who was once labeled “the next Pele.”
Rooney was a star before he reached 20, with most soccer fans around Europe expecting a lot of him. But he didn’t tremble and didn’t change his work ethic. He kept playing soccer with the same passion and kept improving his skills on the training ground. This is the reason he is an absolute legend of the game in England and Europe.
Since his move to DC United, many promising youngsters will have the perfect role model: a player who has achieved everything in soccer at the age of 32 but keeps running and fighting every single game. His desire is as strong as always, and this could serve as the perfect example for many MLS talents.
If they are smart and follow the Wayne Rooney blueprint, they’ll have the chance to develop their qualities and reach stardom, too.
I think the Englishman is unique in this aspect, or at least there are very few like him. Most of the European and South American stars that come to the MLS are not taking it that seriously. Sure, they are usually good enough to play at a good level in the competition, but they are not pushing themselves to the limit.
Wayne Rooney is different, and he certainly can change the careers of many players that are making their first steps on the soccer pitch.
I already mentioned that soccer is certainly not the most popular sport in the USA – far from it. However, a superstar like Wayne Rooney could certainly help the MLS cement its position as one of the rising competitions that have a bright future.
He certainly will attract the attention of many new fans or soccer enthusiasts who didn’t take the MLS too seriously before.
I think this could help expand the global interest of people from other continents as well. I don’t expect the MLS to compete with the likes of the English Premier League or the Spanish La Liga anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean the tournament can’t slowly build its own fan base.
Names like Wayne Rooney will certainly give fans from other countries a reason to follow what’s going on in the MLS. Just look at the hype surrounding the recent performances of the forward. You could see a lot of people in England and other places talk about Rooney and his heroics on the field.
If he keeps showing such a quality, and I don’t see a reason why not, the MLS will keep grabbing more and more headlines, as well as people who are eager to watch the Englishman play.
Of course, the main benefits of Rooney’s arrival will be reaped by his new club, DC United. The Washington franchise made a smart move and will get a boost in a couple of different aspects.
For a start, the club had been struggling in the league before Rooney’s arrival. There was a real danger that it would miss the playoffs. The arrival of Wayne Rooney has given them a lift, as DC United managed to win 3 of the last 4 games.
There is enough time for the team to get a spot in the final stage of the MLS, and Wayne Rooney could play a key part in that. His skills and leadership on the pitch are certainly valuable assets.
Of course, there is a bigger picture as well. DC United didn’t have a player of such a caliber before the arrival of Wayne Rooney. Now that the Englishman is here, the fans will be delighted, and the base should keep expanding.
Rooney is also likely to dramatically increase the merchandise profits and help the club grow from a financial standpoint. Just imagine how many jerseys with his name on the back will be sold. This will provide many long-term benefits for DC United as a business.
Finally, the club has become an attractive destination for talented young players from the USA and potentially more foreign stars. After all, there are many guys out there who would love to play and learn alongside one of the biggest English stars from the past two decades.
Every time the MLS manages to attract a superstar from Europe, it’s good news for the competition and the US soccer fans. However, it’s even better than that when it comes to Wayne Rooney, at least if we judge by the first five games of the forward.
He is not here to relax and make some money. Rooney is here to compete! I’m sure the striker will bring the MLS fans a lot to talk about during his tenure at the club, and I’m looking forward to his performances in the future.
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