Wayne Rooney’s stunning direct free kick lifted D.C. United to a 1-0 win over Toronto FC and extended the Black-and-Red’s lead above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference to four points Wednesday night at Audi Field.

Rooney curled his 33-yard free kick around Toronto FC’s three-man wall and past a diving Alex Bono, who was late to see it, to the give D.C. United (13-11-8) the lead on 18 minutes. It was Rooney’s 10th goal of the lead, tying him for the team-lead with Darren Mattocks.

Rooney nearly set up a second goal just before halftime, as Nick DeLeon latched onto his in-swinging corner kick and heading off the head of Yamil Asad and the crossbar before the ball was cleared for a second corner.

In the 57th minute, Rooney laid the ball off to Luciano Acosta, who fired off the left post.

The best chance for Toronto FC (9-17-6) came in the 11th minute when Nick Hagglund met a Michael Bradley corner and put a downward header on frame, but Bill Hamid kicked out to make a spectacular save.

D.C. received a scare later in the first half when it appeared Hamid hyperextended his left knee attempting to corral a cross, but he remained in the game and recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season. 

Goals

18’ — DC — Wayne Rooney