If it's Wayne Rooney facing Orlando City at Audi Field, it seems bound to be spectacular.
The 33-year-old Designated Player struck from all of 70 yards in the 10th minute Wednesday night, catching Orlando City goalkeeper Brian Rowe well off his line following a corner kick (watch above). That served as the eventual game-winner in a 1-0 match.
"I spotted the ‘keeper maybe a couple minutes before we scored and I’d seen that he was quite high," Rooney said postgame. "I knew if the ball fell to me near the halfway line, then the opportunity would be there for me to shoot it. He was probably a bit further out than normally because they were in possession of the ball, and it was through them losing it that it fell straight into my path. I knew immediately I was going to shoot it and, thankfully, I got it right."
His signature moment of 2018 also came against Orlando City, of course, from a similar spot on the field, when his tackle and long cross found the head of Luciano Acosta for a dramatic late winner last August.
"I think just coincidence; nothing against Orlando at all," Rooney said of viral moments against Orlando. "I’ve enjoyed the games against them and in the three games against them there’s been three big moments. Hopefully the next time we play them there’ll be a fourth."
After Orlando's corner, Frederic Brillant's clearance was misplayed by two Orlando players and fell toward Rooney 10 yards behind the halfway line. Without taking a touch, Rooney spotted Rowe's position outside the penalty area and unleashed a strike that leaves him in the company of Marco Etcheverry, Michael Parkhurst, Dwayne De Rosario and, of course, David Beckham among the all-time long-range strikes in MLS history.
