Rooney lauds England effort

WASHINGTON: England and Manchester United top career goalscorer Wayne Rooney praised his homeland’s “fantastic” World Cup effort on Monday, cheering the buzz and belief their semifinal run in Russia has inspired.

Rooney appeared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new $200 million home stadium of DC United, where the 32-year-old striker makes his Major League Soccer debut Saturday against Vancouver.

“They are doing fantastic. Hopefully we can get the win,” Rooney said. “It’s great. You see the atmosphere back home. There are billions watching it. Hopefully we can get through and go on to the final.”

Manager Gareth Southgate’s England squad will face Croatia in a Wednesday semifinal for a berth in Sunday’s championship match against either France or Belgium. “For the players and Gareth, I wish them massive good luck. They are making us all proud,” Rooney said. “Hopefully they can get that one step further and get to the final and bring the Cup home. DC United, which last won the MLS title in 2004, has the worst record in the league with two wins and five drawn from 14 matches.