New York Red Bulls Vs D.C. United: 3 things we learned – Bill Hamid proves his class

New York Red Bulls and D.C. United drew 0-0 on Sunday in a cagey affair between these Atlantic Cup rivals. Here are three things we learned.

In an Eastern Conference playoff clash between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls, both defences proved too strong to break down as neither side really showed enough flair in the final third to stretch the opposition.

Both teams were chasing the fourth place in the Eastern Conference and a home playoff game. This draw keeps D.C. in the ascendency, though Toronto FC are also lurking with one match to play.

This may have been a stalemate, but there were still plenty of talking points. Here are three things we learned from the 0-0 draw.

3. Rooney drought continues

It wasn’t all that long ago that Wayne Rooney was hanging on the coattails of the likes of Carlos Vela, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Josef Martinez in the MLS Golden Boot race. But, well, let’s just say that’s quickly becoming a distant memory. Rooney’s blank against the New York Red Bulls now takes him to seven D.C. United games without a goal. The former England international has just one goal and three assists in his last nine MLS matches.

He is still working hard for the team but therein lies the potential problem: Rooney is trying to do far too much, dropping deep for the ball and pressing hard when out of possession. All of this is pulling him away from where he’s most dangerous, leaving Paul Arriola and Lucas Rodriguez with far too much to do on their own.

Rooney will miss decision day thanks to his yellow card against the Red Bulls. But Ben Olsen will be hoping he uses the break to get himself sharp for the playoffs because, at present, Rooney does not look like Wayne Rooney.