D.C. United Coach Wayne Rooney was not at Friday’s training session, the day before the regular season finale against New York City FC and amid uncertainty whether he will return next year.
The club said it does expect Rooney to be on the sideline Saturday night at Audi Field.
A United spokesman said Rooney had a “last-minute conflict.” His staff oversaw the morning workout at Inova Performance Complex in Leesburg and assistant Pete Shuttleworth handled media responsibilities, as he has done on occasion this year.
It’s not unusual for Rooney to hand off practice duties to his assistants, but the timing of this absence stood out.