While the Premier League overseas actually has an exciting title race for once, the best race of 2019 might be across the pond in Major League Soccer. We’re less than 10 games into the season, but the 2019 MLS Golden Boot race is shaping up to be something special.
Case in point: Wayne Rooney’s free kick against Columbus on Wednesday night.
Carlos Vela’s insane start has the Mexican leading the MLS Golden Boot race with 10 goals — not to mention five assists — in nine matches. Right behind Vela are the Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (seven) and LAFC teammate Diego Rossi (six).
Then there’s a logjam tied for fourth with five goals apiece: Minnesota’s Darwin Quintero, Toronto’s Jozy Altidore, Colorado’s Kei Kamara and now, as of Wednesday night, Wayne Rooney. Plenty of other big names are also in the hunt. New Orlando City signing Nani, Toronto revelation Alejandro Pozuelo and Houston Dynamo good guy Alberth Elis all have four goals, and don’t forget that everyone’s favorite USMNT star Michael Bradley once led the MLS Golden Boot race with two goals in the first match of the season.
Rooney’s place right in the thick of the MLS Golden Boot race is no surprise after notching 12 goals and seven assists in 20 appearances with D.C. United last season. This season he’s got three assists to go with his five goals despite missing a match after picking up a red card in a 4-0 loss to LAFC.
His latest goal was one of his best in MLS yet.
In the first half of D.C. United’s 1-0 win over the Crew on Wednesday night, Rooney took a free kick from the very edge of the 18-yard box — nearly in the box itself. With no real room to lift a shot over the wall and under the crossbar, Rooney took another route.
BOOM.
Wayne Rooney off the free kick! #CLBvDC https://t.co/JLLIcxyTub— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 25, 2019
Rooney picked a corner and whipped the ball into it, aided by his teammates in the wall jumping out of the way at the last second. Zack Steffen in goal never really had a chance given the power and accuracy on the shot.
Rooney’s made a habit of scoring on free kicks from unusual locations in MLS.
Earlier this year against Orlando he scored what was quite nearly an Olimpico with a free kick from near the corner flag.
RNEY!
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?#ORLvDC https://t.co/OHb0DywwBv— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 31, 2019
And last season, Rooney rocketed this free kick from long range.
Wayne. Freaking. Rooney.
From waayyyyyyyy downtown! #DCvTOR https://t.co/jbJKAr0Ya9— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 17, 2018
Moral of the story? Don’t foul D.C. United anywhere near your own goal.
2019 MLS Golden Boot Race
(As of April 25)
1. Carlos Vela, LAFC — 9
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy — 7
3. Diego Ross, LAFC — 6
4. Darwin Quintero, Minnesota — 5
4. Wayne Rooney, D.C. United — 5
4. Jozy Altidore, Toronto — 5
4. Kei Kamara, Colorado — 5
The18 Recommends For You
