It feels like Wayne Rooney and D.C. United are onto something. When the club hired Rooney last summer, all involved knew the work that would need to be done. The Manchester United legend, who played for D.C. before becoming a rising star as a coach back in his native England, inherited a team that needed a ton of work.
Rooney, in response, has brought in some pieces and made some tweaks, but there's no doubt that this is a long-term fix.
One piece that Rooney brought in is Christian Benteke, a name familiar to anyone who has followed the Premier League for the past decade. The Belgian is an old-school No. 9, a legitimate presence up top that can hold the ball, bring others into the play and, obviously, score goals.
After a slow start to life in MLS, Benteke and D.C. are starting to figure it out. The Belgian scored the goal of the round this week, leading his side to another victory as part of their best run of form since Rooney's arrival.
Rooney deserves credit for that recent run, even if it has come via victories over some less-than-spectacular competition. The ex-England star's tactical tweaks have made all the difference and, with Benteke leading the charge, D.C. seem to be taking the first of what they'll hope will be many steps forward under Rooney's leadership.
With that said, here's a look at this week's MLS Winners and Losers:
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