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Wayne Rooney’s MLS Debut Overshadowed By 17-Year-Old’s Wonder Goal

DC United opened Audi Field Saturday night with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, and marquee signing Wayne Rooney was handed his debut in the 58th minute. Rooney assisted USMNT winger Paul Arriola on DC’s third, but special mention to Vancouver’s conciliatory strike in the 94th minute — 17-year-old Canadian international Alphonso Davies ruined United’s backline before curling in a shot from distance.  

20,504 were on hand for the opening of Audi Field, DC’s long-awaited soccer-specific stadium in Buzzard Point. Yamil Asad opened the scoring in the 27th and Arriola doubled the lead in the 69th.

In the 80th minute, Arriola scored his brace with Rooney getting credit for the assist. 

With the game decided, Davies scored his third goal of the season for Vancouver, and what a remarkable solo effort it was. 

According to Whitecaps manager Carl Robinson, Davies is being monitored by pretty much every club on the planet at this point (rumors include Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, PSV and Manchester United).

“I could give you a list of all the teams that have been [watching him], if you’ve got four pages of A4 paper,” said Robinson. “There’s interest in him because he’s playing really well. He’s playing at a really high level. There’s a lot of interest in him, but what I can’t tell you is going to happen is 24 hours in football is a long time, so I don’t know what’s around the corner.

“He’s with us at the moment and he’s playing phenomenally well. He’s got a contract with us, he loves being here, we love having him here. I think the supporters love watching him play. And until that changes, I would just say enjoy it. He’s a phenomenal talent who still has more to give.”

Davies doesn’t turn 18 until November 2. The 17-year-old was recently named to the All-Star roster for the Aug. 1 match against Juventus in Atlanta. 

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