Wayne Rooney is not the answer for MLS or D.C. United

English soccer superstar Wayne Rooney is in “advanced talks” with Major League Soccer club D.C. United, according to the Washington Post. Well, United and Major League Soccer might want to think about walking back those talks a little bit.

If Rooney does complete the switch from the English Premier League to this nation’s capital it will surely be trumpeted as a further sign of MLS’ growth and significance. In truth, it would be a step backward.

MLS has made impressive strides and the success of recent expansion teams such as Atlanta United and its booming fan base are testament to a position of stability and a bright future.

However, MLS still has a reputation, both domestically and in Europe, as being a haven for aging stars who are past their use-by-date. It is a tag that is not entirely fair, but it’s sticking for now and adding Rooney would apply another layer of adhesive.

Rooney is a spent force in England. His time at Manchester United ended because he was no longer capable of producing performances at the level required by one of England’s top clubs, so he went back to Everton, his boyhood team. He retired from international duty with the England national team when it became clear that younger, better talent was coming through.