Perhaps in some parallel universe, Wayne Rooney is preparing his squad for his first pre-season fixture as Everton manager in the USA but in reality while Goodison Park’s Prodigal Son is on the verge of another return as DC United head coach, it’s Frank Lampard who the spotlight turns on to revive the Blues’ fortunes. Everton flew out to the USA on Monday ahead of matches against fellow Premier League side Arsenal and Major League Soccer outfit Minnesota United, who are managed by Blues legend Adrian Heath.
It’s the club’s second straight summer stateside after taking on Colombians Millonarios and UNAM of Mexico in the Florida Cup last year, a tournament that both Arsenal and reigning Serie A champions at the time Internazionale both withdrew from due to Covid-19 concerns. While significant numbers of US-based fans were still able to see Everton in action at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, with coronavirus restrictions now largely lifted, this should be a very different experience as American supporters will be able to mingle with their travelling counterparts from the UK.
Former Blues home-grown hero Rooney crossed the Atlantic 24 hours before the Everton party though as he boarded a flight to Washington DC to discuss a potential coaching return to DC United, the club where he spent two seasons as a player after leaving Goodison for a second time in 2018. Despite his relative inexperience in the dugout, the 36-year-old was understood to be one of the candidates considered for the Everton managerial vacancy in January following the sacking of Rafael Benitez, but he chose to remain at Derby County who were fighting for their lives in the Championship at the time.
