Los Angeles (AFP) – Wayne Rooney fired DC United to the top of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference standings on Wednesday, scoring the game’s only goal in a 1-0 win over Columbus Crew.
Former Manchester United and England star Rooney curled home a low free-kick in the 27th minute to give United all three points and their first win in Columbus since 2007.
The victory leaves United three points clear of second-placed Montreal Impact at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with 17 points from nine games.
Montreal kept pace with United after a 3-0 away win against the New England Revolution.
Shamit Shome opened the scoring for Montreal in the 79th minute, tapping home a close-range effort after a horrendous blunder by Revs goalkeeper Cody Cropper, who spilled what should have been a straightforward save.
Anthony Jackson-Hamel added a late brace for Montreal, with goals in the 85th and 90th minutes.
Elsewhere Wednesday, Argentinian striker Valentin Castellanos scored in the ninth minute to hand New York City FC a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium.
The 20-year-old from Mendoza slid home a perfect low pass from Brazilian forward Heber to give City all three points to move them into seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.
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