Rooney’s DC United blows its chance to climb out of the bottom of the Conference away to Charlotte

Wayne Rooney was unable to build on his winning return as DC United manager as his side fell to a 3-0 defeat by Charlotte FC on Wednesday night.

An early own goal from defender Steve Birnbaum gave DC a bad start and two quick second-half goals from Karol Swiderski and Quinn McNeil made Charlotte’s win safe.

It means that DC stays last in the Eastern Conference and  have won only two of their last 13.

Wayne Rooney – pictured after Sunday’s win over Orlando – lost his first game as DC United coach on Wednesday night

Rooney could only watch on as his side lost 3-0 to Charlotte on Wednesday evening 

The home side were dominant for most of the evening, leading 16-9 in shots as they avenged a 3-0 defeat in DC in the expansion team’s first-ever match on Feb. 26. 

An early own goal that deflected in off U.S international centerback Steve Birnbaum in the 13th minute. 

Former DC United players Joseph Mora and Yordy Reyna were involved in the opening goal when they combined down the left and Mora curled an outswinging cross into the box from the left.

Swiderski sent a hopeful header on goal that took an awkward deflection off a D.C. defender. Romo reacted well to save it but palmed the ball straight onto Birnbaum’s chest, which deflected it over the goal line.

As the game progressed Charlotte would out possess, out shoot, and all around outplay their opposition and the score line would eventually follow suite. 

Forward Karol Swiderski would become the first Charlotte player to score after placing a rebound well past the keeper in the 64th minute.

Charlotte players McKenzie Gaines and Quinn McNeil celebrate the D.C United own goal

Rooney previously played for DC and is pictured in action here in the 2018 playoffs 

Midfielder Quinn McNeil would go on to put the final touches on the game scoring again in only a mere three minutes to extent the lead to 3-0.

Rooney, who has now managed two games with D.C United, played for the team from 2018-2020. 

He is now 1-1 in his new job following a spell at Derby County, and his team remains last place in the MLS Eastern Conference with an abysmal record of 6-3-13 and only 21 points.

United will remain two points behind FC Toronto even though they have a game in hand.

Rooney applauds supporters while managing in English Championship with Derby County