Rooney’s DC United team-talks for MLS opener revealed – and he predicted his team WOULD come back

Wayne Rooney rallied his DC United side to come back from a potential deficit in their first MLS game, and his side proved him right with a thrilling stoppage-time victory against Toronto FC.

New DC United video shows Rooney’s pre-game and half-time team talks, with the former Manchester United striker calling his side to show his faith on Saturday against Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.

I have seen some of the interviews from your side. They have come here expecting to win,” she said.

“So, they asked me a question in the press conference, they asked me, ‘what are your expectations, because everyone else in the league doesn’t expect us to do anything.’ I don’t give a damn what other people think.

I know what we have here, I know what we have done during the preseason, I know what we are capable of doing. So you have to c—— believe in yourselves,’ he continued.

Wayne Rooney urged his players to “power up” during opposing free kicks and throw-ins.

‘Believe in yourselves as a group, as individuals. Be a team, come what may. It may be that we go one goal down, it doesn’t matter. Believe that you can get back in the game and go win the game.

“We can do great things this season, and it starts tonight,” he concluded his impassioned pre-game speech.

DC United’s season got off to a great start in the 13th minute when debutant and former Leeds midfielder Mateusz Klich scored from long range.

However, Rooney learned at halftime that the job wasn’t done yet.

Although he largely praised the players for their first-half performances, he urged them to ‘change their fucking minds’ during opposing free kicks and throw-ins.

He also encouraged them to display the kind of ruthlessness he so often displayed during his glittering playing career.

‘Make sure we’re fucking clinical guys. Kill the game,’ he said.

While DC eventually got hold of all three points, they didn’t exactly follow the script laid out by Rooney.

Forward Christian Benteke equalized the game in the 90th minute with a powerful header

And young Ted Ku-DiPietro scored the winning goal eight minutes into stoppage time.

A Bernardeschi penalty and then a Mark-Anthony Kaye goal gave Toronto the lead with seven minutes (plus stoppage time) remaining, but Rooney’s players showed they took their pregame words to heart.

Former Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke equalized the game with a 90th-minute header, before 21-year-old Ted Ku-DiPietro converted a close opportunity in the eighth minute of stoppage time to achieve an impressive victory. .

Last year, DC finished last in the Eastern Conference with just seven wins in 34 games, and MLS media are predicting a similar result in 2023.

Of the 13 experts who they made their picks on MLSSoccer.comnobody predicted that the team would finish 12th in the East.