FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Not long before D.C. United’s match against New England on Saturday night, the club’s new superstar appeared during another MLS game’s live broadcast, positioned in front of a photo of the U.S. Capitol. Wayne Rooney, the 32-year-old English soccer icon, said he thought the time was right for his move to MLS and that he wants to “try to help the team progress forward and move forward in the league.”
A few hours later and 375 miles northeast, D.C.’s team showed just how far back it is, dropping a 3-2 decision at New England. United has won just two of its first 13 games this season for 10 points, fewest in the 23-team league.