DERBY 29/02, 3:00PM
Derby have been somewhat revitalised by the all-time leading England and Manchester United goalscorer, Wayne Rooney.
This is perhaps no surprise when looking at the famous career Rooney has enjoyed. However, whilst his time with Everton, United and England is well documented, his time in America is still mostly unknown to many.
Of course, Rooney certainly was not the first Englishman to make the trip across the pond and ply his trade in the MLS. While the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Beckham moved to the US to play for the higher profile clubs, Rooney's American adventure was spent with relative minnows DC United.
When Rooney joined, DC sat bottom of the Eastern Conference but within weeks they were play-off contenders, such was his impact. He certainly wasn't there for a retirement party and his work ethic, distribution and eye for goal (no matter how far out!) proved Rooney's credentials as an enigmatic leader.
Despite not securing silverware during his time in Washington, he certainly had an impact upon the club that has not been matched by many other Premier League stars in the States.
In all, Rooney struck 23 goals in 43 games before returning to England as player/coach with current employers Derby.
MANCHESTER CITY 04/03, 7:45PM
When you look at the Liverpool and Manchester City rivalry today, it seems unlikely that a Liverpool legend could be playing in sky blue. However, this was exactly the case with the man Liverpool fans call God, Robbie Fowler.
In November 2001. the Anfield legend left his hometown for Leeds for a reported £11m. Fowler no doubt left with a point to prove but his journey from Liverpool to Manchester via Leeds was blighted by injury.
He spent six years combined at Leeds and City, scoring 34 in 90 games away from Anfield whilst averaging just 15 games a season.
It was the injuries that hugely hampered his Elland Road career, together with well documented financial issues that resulted in a move to City. But fitness problems again forced Fowler onto the sidelines and further hampered his form.
Even the signing of former team mate and fellow Liverpool 'Spice Boy' Steve McManaman did little to restore his fortune — indeed it was Fowler's missed penalty in the final game of the 2004/05 season against Middlesbrough that cost City UEFA Cup qualification.
However, he did come third in the City Player of the Year vote and Fowler ranked that as one of the proudest achievements of his career.
Peter Jones
@PeterKennyJones
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