D.C. United’s season ends with extra-time collapse

TORONTO — D.C. United’s season — and Wayne Rooney’s MLS tenure — reached an unceremonious end Saturday after a staggering swing of events deep in a first-round playoff against Toronto FC.

United’s equalizer in the dying moments of regulation forced extra time and rekindled hope that Rooney, the English superstar who had revitalized the organization upon his arrival last year, would extend his stay at least four more days.

As quickly as the outlook brightened, however, it unraveled in rapid and horrific style.

Toronto scored four goals before the 30-minute bonus period was halfway done and coasted to a 5-1 victory at BMO Field.

Rooney, who in August announced he would return to England a year earlier than planned, finished his United term watching the last 15 minutes of extra time from the bench. The outcome had been settled.

He had scored just once since July 1, missing several matches along the way, but there was no denying his contributions, on and off the field.

“It’s an unfortunate way for him to finish here,” Coach Ben Olsen said. “I’m sure he would have wanted to hit the back of the net and push us into the next round.”

For the second consecutive autumn, his season slipped away in the opening round of the postseason. Both times, elimination came after the standard 90 minutes.

Rooney left the locker room without speaking to reporters, heading to the team charter back to Washington before a trip home to join second-flight Derby County as a player and assistant coach.

“He turned our team around completely,” defender Steven Birnbaum said. “He has just been a great presence for us. We’ve been lucky to have him.”

Rooney did have three outstanding chances to score in the second half — Ola Kamara had one as well — but United did not pull even until Lucas Rodríguez’s shocking goal in stoppage time.