Rooney's late penalty saves draw for D.C. vs. Toronto

Wayne Rooney's stoppage-time penalty kick salvaged a point for D.C. United in a 1-1 draw with visiting Toronto FC on Saturday.

In the game's dying minutes, a video review showed that Toronto's Ayo Akinola committed a foul in the penalty area. That led to Rooney's 92nd-minute strike, giving him four goals in the last six games and 10 total this season.

Toronto coaches and players contested the call, arguing that D.C. should have been called for a foul in the leadup to Akinola's error.

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The draw improved D.C. United's record to 3-1-5 over their last nine games. A victory would have put D.C. (8-4-7, 31 points) atop the Eastern Conference standings, but instead the club sits a point behind the first-place Philadelphia Union.

It was the second draw of the season between Toronto FC and D.C. United, who played to a 0-0 result in Toronto on May 15. Between Toronto FC's whopping 36-3 shots advantage in the first encounter and Rooney's late score on Saturday, the draws likely feel more like victories for D.C. United and missed opportunities for Toronto (6-7-5, 23 points).

Nick DeLeon gave Toronto an early lead by scoring in the 19th minute. Richie Laryea recorded a well-deserved assist after evading three D.C. players on his way into the box, then found an open DeLeon for the final touch.

It was DeLeon's fourth goal of the season and third in his last five games. The midfielder was on familiar ground, after playing for D.C. the previous seven seasons.

D.C. United were without Paul Arriola and Junior Moreno due to international competition, while Toronto FC were short five players to the CONCACAF Gold Cup and four defenders due to injury.

Despite playing their third game in eight days with undermanned lineups, Toronto FC have collected four points during this difficult stretch, between Saturday's draw and Wednesday's 3-2 win over Atlanta United.