WASHINGTON,April 18, 2012 — Wayne Rooney’s little brother is making headlines in American soccer. John Rooney, 21, may not get the accolades like his brother Wayne, 26, who has 24 goals this season for Premier League leaders Manchester United. But John has just been named USL PRO player of the Week on this side of the pond.
Rooney, a striker with Orlando City, had two goals and an assist as Orlando took a 4-1 victory in its home-opener against the Wilmington Hammerheads on Sunday night in front of a regular-season club record crowd of 8,421 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The younger Rooney played for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer last season, converted a penalty kick in the game and also scored on a low volley. He then set up a goal with a cross for Rob Valentino.
The USL Pro (United Soccer Leagues Professional Division) comprises of ten American teams and a club from Antigua. The league is sanctioned as the third tier of soccer in the American Soccer Pyramid, behind Major League Soccer (first tier) and the North American Soccer League. Orlando is coached by for Everton star Adrian Heath.
He made five appearances with the Red Bulls in 2011. Before that, he played 41 games for Macclesfield town in England’s League Two, notching 3 goals.
Rooney and Orlando will head back on the road to face the Richmond Kickers on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at City Stadium.
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