Rooney brace propels D.C. into MLS Cup playoffs, Galaxy stay alive

WASHINGTON: Former Manchester United and England Star Wayne Rooney scored twice to push D.C. United to a 3-1 victory over New York City FC and into the MLS Cup playoffs on Sunday.

The victory in the penultimate weekend of the regular season capped a remarkable resurgence for D.C. United, who were languishing at the foot of the table when Rooney arrived in Washington in July.

Until that point they had just two wins from 14 matches and appeared headed for another disappointing season.

Now they have won 12 of 18 games to clinch their spot in the post-season.

Rooney opened the scoring in the eighth minute, tapping in his teamleading 11th goal of the season after Luciano Acosta eluded three New York defenders to reach the end line and cut the ball back to Rooney.

Acosta doubled D.C.’s lead in the 24th minute, curling in a strong shot from outside the area.

Rooney converted from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after Alex Ring handled the ball in the penalty box.

Spain’s David Villa pulled back a goal for New York in the 78th minute, but his low shot that went in off the far post wasn’t enough for a New York City FC side that had already punched their postseason ticket. Rooney’s former Manchester United teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic came through for an LA Galaxy team fighting for their playoff lives.

Ibrahimovic’s header off a cross from Rolf Feltscher in the 30th minute sparked the Galaxy to a 3-1 victory over Minnesota United that kept them in the hunt for a postseason spot.

Ola Kamara and Romain Alessandrini scored two quick goals in the space of a minute in the second half before Angelo Rodriguez pulled one back for Minnesota.

The victory coupled with Real Salt Lake’s 3-0 loss to the Portland Timbers put the Galaxy just one point behind Salt Lake for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference with a game in hand.