Wayne Rooney booed by DC United fans as MLS gamble backfires with job at risk
DC United fans are turning on head coach Wayne Rooney and booed his team during their latest defeat against the Philadelphia Union.
Rooney, 37, and his team left the pitch at Audi Field to a chorus of boos after shipping three goals without reply during the first 45 minutes. The Manchester United legend is under pressure in the capital.
Supporters are calling for their coach to get the sack on social media as the disquiet in the stands is also manifesting online. Saturday's 3-1 loss - substitute Theodore Ku-DiPietro cut the deficit late on - was their second straight defeat in a week.
Monday saw Rooney's side concede what proved to be an 88th-minute winner to the New York Red Bulls on their travels. That was their first match in more than a fortnight after exiting the Leagues Cup in the Round of 32, also at the hands of Philadelphia.
United reached that stage thanks to a 1-0 win over Montreal, despite later losing 3-0 to Mexican club UNAM in the group stages. They are winless in four games dating back to that narrow late July victory over their Canadian opponents.
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However, they remain just outside of the playoff places, two points behind the Chicago Fire, having played one match more. Their form, though, reinforces the frustrations of the fans.
United have won just one of their last six regular season games, losing four and drawing the other. Only Nashville and rock-bottom Toronto have faired worse over the previous half-a-dozen games.
Wayne Rooney is learning on the job at DC United (Rich von Biberstein/Getty Images)It was only last month that Rooney was lauding the venture Stateside. “It’s been a great experience for me," he said.
"Coming out here has just really been about gaining experience and for me to try to develop as a coach. I know I am not where I want to be as a finished article.
"But these next few years are really important in terms of me getting to grips with the role and getting the best out of myself and eventually out of the players. It is something I am really enjoying.
However, Rooney did acknowledge that he would need time in the hot seat. “Patience is key, and understanding that you are going to lose games, that you are not going to win every game, so it's about staying calm in those situations. Understanding that is something which is really a strength of mine."
He added: "When DC came in, I thought it was a great opportunity to come out and develop. I came into a difficult job, given where the club was at, so I had to try to improve the club first of all and get them up the table.
Continuing, Rooney admitted: “It's been a great experience for me to come here and work, and it will really help me moving forward.” The next challenge is getting United fans back on his side.
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