It now looks like Wayne Rooney will be joining DC United from Everton. The 32-year-old Rooney announced his retirement from international football earlier on during this season and now does not need to be playing at a competitive level anymore.
While the all-time England national team and Manchester United leading goal scorer is past his peak, he can still compete at a high level, as shown by the fact that he scored ten goals in the Premier League for Everton this season.
He should have what it takes to set the MLS alight, as did the likes of Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard and David Beckham, even when they were all past their prime.
While Rooney will add quality to the DC United side, we cannot really expect any drastic additions to the MLS by his coming.
Rather than focusing on signing washed-up stars, the MLS should rather set their focus onto helping rebuild American soccer after the national team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Rooney’s coming will also do nothing to help eliminate the reputation which the MLS has in Europe, of being a less than competitive League for washed-up stars.
There is nothing bad about MLS clubs signing European stars, but if they want to do so, they should aim to attract players who are still at a competitive age, as Toronto FC did with Sebastian Giovano, and also with the American duo of Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore.
Rooney is a faded force. He will be able to produce some performances, which will look good in the MLS, but it’s important to remember that the reason that Manchester United parted ways with him at the end of last season, is because he is unable to replicate the same performances that he used to churn out ten years ago.
He also retired from England national team duty when it became very clear that he would not be a regular starter. From Rooney’s point of view, moving to the States could be a good decision. It could help him to be away from the spotlight following the controversy’s in his personal life during recent years. It could also allow him to experience something different, given that he does not have the same level of enthusiasm towards the game as he did during his days with Manchester United.
However, the MLS should focus on developing a competitive league for the purpose of developing American soccer. Signing Rooney is not the answer.
