🇺🇸🇨🇦 State of the Union: Rooney's return and Toronto doing business | OneFootball

There was no doubting the big news on Tuesday as Wayne Rooney was officially announced as the new head coach of DC United.

There was also some transfer business to report, and a tense situation developing in Utah…

Rooney faces tough challenge at DC United

As a player, Wayne Rooney enjoyed most of his career at the top of the game with Manchester United.

Now, as a manager, he’s showing that he’s willing to put in the hard work in order to prove himself worthy of returning to that level.

He almost pulled off the impossible by keeping crisis club Derby County in the EFL Championship. Can the 36-year-old now rescue DC United’s season and bring them back into play-off contention in the Eastern Conference?

At least he can’t get relegated again!

Austin on top after Texas derby success

Despite bringing Mexico international Héctor Herrera on at half-time for his debut, Houston Dynamo were unable to stop the Austin juggernaut on Tuesday.

Goals from Diego Fagúndez, Maximiliano Urruti and Alexander Ring helped Los Verdes to the summit of the Western Conference and put them on top of the Supporters’ Shield standings as well.

Toronto to complete Italian triumvirate

It seems just a matter of time now before Toronto confirm the arrival of their third Italian addition this transfer window.

Federico Bernardeschi, who came on as a substitute in the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 final win over England, will join compatriots Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Criscito at the Canadian club.

Salcedo leaves TFC and returns to Mexico

Heading out the door at BMO Field is Carlos Salcedo, after the Reds agreed to terminate his Designated Player contract.

The El Tri centre-back, who only joined at the end of January, has cited personal reasons for his decision to return to Mexico and sign for Juárez.

Atlanta acquire Colombian winger

Elsewhere, Atlanta United have added to their ranks by acquiring Edwin Mosquera from Independiente Medellín.

The 21-year-old, who has inked a four-year deal, has enjoyed loan spells at Juventude in Brazil and Aldosivi in Argentina in recent seasons.

Minnesota add Paraguay international

Minnesota United have also dipped into the international market to bring Alan Benítez to the Midwest.

The right-back arrives from Cerro Porteño in his native Paraguay.

RSL’s Ochoa stuck in no man’s land

Things seem to be going from bad to worse for goalkeeper David Ochoa at Real Salt Lake.

Having lost his starting spot to Zac MacMath this season, the stopper took to Instagram to claim that he is not allowed to train with Pablo Mastroeni’s first team, while simultaneously being told he cannot leave the club.

The 21-year-old is training with USL side Real Monarchs, but we imagine his decision to post on social media will lead to further developments.

The chosen few get MLS All-Star call-up

One can only assume that the famous Smash Mouth from 1999 song was ringing around locker rooms after the 2022 MLS All-Star team was announced.

The 26-man squad will take on a Liga MX selection in Minnesota on 10 August.

Throwback rack 👕

While the All-Star game has been against an international opponent for many years now, there was a time when it was a battle between East and West.

Such was the case with the aforementioned tune by Smash Mouth was in the charts.

There wasn’t much thought put into the jerseys back then, was there? We’ll be hoping for something a bit snazzier at Allianz Field next month.

Coming up…

The action keeps coming this week, with a packed slate of 10 games scheduled for Wednesday…