Rooney helped D.C. United to a dominant 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake at Audi Field on Saturday with three goals and one assist, the first hat trick of his MLS career. After posting its third consecutive shutout, D.C. sits tied atop the Eastern Conference with seven points (2-0-1 overall record).
The English icon opened the scoring after converting a penalty kick in the 34th minute to give D.C. United a 1-0 advantage (watch goal). Moments later, Rooney added a second goal in the 41st minute with a calmly finished flick over the goalkeeper from the center of the box to give D.C. a 2-0 lead (watch goal).
D.C. United return to action on Sunday, March 31 when facing Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium (6:30 p.m. ET., FS1 / FOX Deportes / FOX Sports Go).
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.