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MLS week in review: Wayne Rooney could be coming to MLS, but the English superstar’s deal in principle with D.C. United leaves room for questions

Everton's Wayne Rooney kicks the ball past Watford's Troy Deeney during their English Premier League match at Vicarage Road, London, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)

Wayne Rooney dominated headlines in the United States this past week with his possible move to MLS. But the likelihood of him actually signing with D.C. United has been just as much a topic of conversation as the confirmation that the English football star had moved closer to a deal with D.C..

Rooney and United have agreed to a deal in principle for £12 million, according to multiple reports. On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that there was a 50-50 chance of the deal actually going through, but on Monday, the D.C.-based newspaper reported that Rooney and D.C. United had “resolved major issues in their negotiations.”

In a news conference Friday, Everton manager Sam Allardyce said Rooney, Everton’s leading scorer, had not asked to leave.

“And neither has Wayne Rooney had a confrontation with me,” Allardyce said. “We’ve not been in any difficult situations because we’re two adults and we talk.”

D.C. United fell to a 1-5-2 record over the weekend, falling to Real Salt Lake 3-2. D.C. is in need of more scoring power after netting just 10 goals so far this season, fewer than all but two other clubs.

Orlando fans throw trash at Atlanta United

Orlando City fans decided boos weren’t enough in the last minutes of Atlanta’s 2-1 win over their team Saturday, and they took to throwing trash onto the field.

It started in stoppage time when Orlando City midfielder Will Johnson went down in the box as Atlanta defender Leandro González Pirez made a slide tackle in his vicinity. The referee wasn’t buying Johnson’s dive, but the Orlando City fans were sold.

After the no-call, the supporters section began throwing cups, cans and water bottles onto the field, and they continued after the final whistle sounded.

A weekend of milestones

100 • The number of times rivals Seattle and Portland have faced each other. The Timbers took the crown in the 100th iteration of the derby, 1-0 at Providence Park Sunday.

200 • The number of wins Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando reached in a 3-2 win over D.C. United.

132 • The new MLS record for goals scored for a single club. San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski set the new high mark with a penalty kick in a 3-1 win over Minnesota United. His 136 career goals are just nine short of that league record.

Power Rankings

1. Atlanta United (Last week: 1) • With another goal by Ezequiel Barco, Atlanta cruises to its eighth win in 10 matches.

2. New York Red Bulls (2) • RBNY got a little help from VAR to beat Colorado and extend its winning streak to three matches.

3. Sporting Kansas City (3) • SKC took advantage of a red card issued to Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan to claim a win over the red-hot Five Stripes.

4. Los Angeles FC (6) The road warriors are finding some mojo at home, with a draw against a strong NYCFC team.

5. New York City FC (4) • NYCFC earned a draw in Los Angeles against an LAFC team on a six-match unbeaten streak.

6. Columbus Crew SC (7) • The Crew put in two shutout defensive performances at home to grab wins on Wednesday and Saturday.

7. Orlando City SC (5) • Orlando City’s winning streak had to end at some point, and Atlanta United was just the team to stop it.

8. FC Dallas (9) • Mauro Diaz tied a club record with three assists in a single match, one for each goal Dallas scored in a win against the Galaxy.

9. Portland Timbers (10) • Portland kept its third consecutive clean sheet to beat Seattle.

10. Toronto FC (8) • The defending MLS champions slid further into a funk with two losses last week.