Wayne Rooney departed MLS after DC United was humbled by Toronto in extra time of their playoff clash, while defending champion Atlanta United advanced.
Rooney, bound for Derby County in England, was helpless as DC suffered a 5-1 loss to Toronto after extra time in the opening round of the MLS postseason Saturday.
The former Manchester United and England captain agreed in August to a player-coach role with Championship outfit Derby ahead of his January return to England.
But Rooney's DC and MLS farewell did not go according to plan after his team conceded four extra-time goals away to Toronto at BMO Field.
Final. pic.twitter.com/mUYd6dZ7qu
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 20, 2019
A dramatic 93rd-minute equalizer from DC's Lucas Rodriguez had forced extra time after canceling out Marco Delgado's first-half opener.
However, Toronto erupted in extra time as Jonathan Osorio scored a brace while Richie Laryea and Nick DeLeon were also on target in the first additional period.
Toronto – MLS Cup champion in 2017 – will now face New York City in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Real talk: That’s just filth @NickDeLeon7 | #TFCLive | #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/hk8CyjsnWe
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) October 20, 2019
Atlanta's hopes of claiming back-to-back MLS titles remain on track after edging the New England Revolution, 1-0.
Franco Escobar settled the contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where his 70th-minute goal guided Frank de Boer's side to the Eastern Conference semis to play the winner of Sunday's Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls match.
Elsewhere, the Seattle Sounders survived a seven-goal thriller as they prevailed 4-3 against Dallas after extra time.
A Jordan Morris hat trick, completed in the 113th minute, sent the Sounders through to the next round, where they will meet Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference semifinals after Salt Lake's late 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers.