Wayne Rooney was sent out of Wednesday’s MLS clash between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls after VAR confirmed that he had struck Red Bulls midfielder Cristian Cásseres Jr in the face as the two fought for position during a set piece.
The two clubs came into the night fighting for position in the Eastern Conference, with the Red Bulls sitting just one point back of Rooney’s side in fifth place.
New York also entered the match with a game in hand on United, and the early goal left the club in a strong position to leapfrog the home side in the standings.