Wayne Rooney’s younger brother John began his US adventure on Monday with a goal in the Major League Soccer (MLS) pre-draft trials after choosing to switch his career to the US.
The 20-year-old sibling of the Manchester United and England striker has been open about the fact that he sees a move to North America as a way to make his career “just me” rather than face constant comparisons with his brother in England.
That may prove to be a forlorn hope, given the growing US interest in English soccer and the huge support for United, but the former Macclesfield Town midfielder said there are other attractions.
“The standard of football plus the lifestyle is good too,” the quietly spoken Liverpudlian told reporters on Monday.
“I’ve watched plenty of [MLS] games since I began thinking of coming over, loads of games. I think it is a great league,” he said.
A confidently struck goal from the edge of the penalty area on a field, which is the only international standard cricket venue in the US, was the first step Rooney took in a hectic week.
Rooney has signed a deal with MLS, which puts him into this week’s draft where teams take turns to pick the best of this year’s college talents plus a smattering of foreign recruits.
The process, which is in keeping with North American practices in the NFL, NBA and MLB, also involves a four-day trial involving three matches.
“It’s pretty tricky, but we had a game to get to know each other and it showed today that we have got to know each other pretty well and it’s good to get on the scoresheet,” he said.
Rooney’s journey from the English lower divisions to Florida began with training sessions with two clubs last year.
“I came over in August and trained with Seattle and Portland and I just thought it was the right time in my career to come over and I’ve loved every minute of it over here and I think it’s fantastic,” he said.
The Portland Timbers, new to MLS this year, will have the second pick in the draft after another “expansion team,” the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Timbers head coach John Spencer, the former Chelsea and Scotland striker, was not in charge of the Pacific Northwest club when Rooney came over, but said the midfielder made a good impression.
“He came in and everyone was pretty impressed by him with his attitude and work-rate, it can be hard having that name following around with you,” he said. “When I played at Houston we had [former Liverpool player Kenny Dalglish’s son] Paul Dalglish. I know Paul really well and we had the same problem with his history, but we just looked at him as Paul.
“He was a good player in his own right. It the same story with young John, I hope someone ends up picking him in the draft and he gets a good career for himself over here,” Spencer added.
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