Wayne Rooney wins first match as DC United boss after incredible injury time comeback with TWO last-gasp goals
WAYNE ROONEY got off to an amazing start as DC United manager as his side beat Orlando City 2-1 on Sunday.
The former Derby County boss looked to be heading towards a defeat before a remarkable injury time comeback.
DC United trailed 1-0 to Junior Urso’s ninth minute goal, before two goals in the dying minutes turned the game on its head.
Chris Durkin equalised in the 91st minute before Taxi Fountas sealed a dramatic win in the 95th minute.
In his post-match interview Rooney said: “The season has to start now.
“Character is a big word I have used over the last couple of weeks with the team. We need to be a team that shows a lot of character and fight and togetherness.
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“A big thing which I’ve seen in my research on the team is when a player makes a mistake, they suffer and really found it difficult to come back from that.
“I understand players will make mistakes — no problem. I want them to try things. I want them to risk the ball in the right areas. And if they make a mistake and give the ball away, try it again.
“That’s part of the game. Giving the players the freedom of mind and being able to do that is starting to make a difference.”
Rooney has begun to stamp his mark on the squad in the three weeks since he took over as manager.
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He has brought in Ravel Morrison, who impressed under Rooney at Derby, to help exert his influence on his new players.
The DC United squad is clearly learning from Wazza having been beaten 6-2 by Bayern Munich in a friendly just 11 days ago.
But there is still plenty of work to be done with DC United bottom of the Eastern Conference with just six wins from 21 games.
They are eight points off a play-off place but with 13 games remaining there is still hope of rising up the table.