Wikipedia

Dom Dwyer

Dominic James Dwyer (born July 30, 1990) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the Oakland Roots in the USL Championship. Born in England, he played for the United States national team.

Dom Dwyer
Dwyer with Orlando City in 2013
Personal information
Full name Dominic James Dwyer
Date of birth (1990-07-30) July 30, 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Cuckfield, West Sussex, England[1]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Oakland Roots
Youth career
2000–2006 Norwich City
2007–2008 Staines Town
2008–2009 King's Lynn
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Tyler Apaches 42 (52)
2011 South Florida Bulls 21 (16)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2017 Sporting Kansas City 128 (57)
2013 → Orlando City (loan) 13 (15)
2017–2020 Orlando City 67 (24)
2021–2022 Toronto FC 14 (0)
2022 Atlanta United 22 (4)
2024– Oakland Roots 10 (1)
International career‡
2017 United States 4 (2)
Medal record
Men's soccer
Representing  United States
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Winner 2017
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 22, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 14, 2017

While in England, Dwyer represented, among other teams, Norwich City as a youth. In 2009, he moved to the United States on a soccer scholarship and played for Tyler Junior College and the South Florida Bulls. He was drafted by Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer in 2012, and won the MLS Cup with them in 2013. In 2017, he joined Orlando City SC in the largest transfer between two MLS clubs.

Dwyer became an American citizen in March 2017 and was called up to the U.S. national team later that year for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, winning the tournament.

College and amateur

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Dwyer was born in Cuckfield, West Sussex.[1] After the family moved to East Anglia he was spotted playing for King's Lynn Community Football by Jess Ibrom Football Development Officer and invited to the Kings Lynn FC Youth Team, and was then signed into the youth program of Norwich City. Dwyer studied at the College of West Anglia from 2006 to 2008.[3]

After playing for Staines Town for a year, in 2008, Dwyer joined King's Lynn F.C., where he broke his right foot three times.[1] He was then told by doctors that he would never be physically capable of playing at a professional level.[4] Dwyer was given an opportunity by scout Joe McLaughlin of Soccer Icon USA, to get a sports scholarship to study for a college degree in the U.S.,[5] Dwyer has said that he accepted the offer to get a free degree and that, at the time, he had given up on the dream of a soccer career.[4]

Dwyer moved from England to attend Tyler Junior College in Texas, where he won two national championships and was the national junior college player of the year after scoring 37 goals as a sophomore. After two years at Tyler, he made the move to the University of South Florida, where he played in 2011.[6][7]

Professional career

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Sporting Kansas City

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Dwyer playing for Sporting Kansas City in 2017

On January 12, 2012, Dwyer was selected No. 16 overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City.[8] He was first included for a professional game on March 25, remaining an unused substitute in a 2–1 win over FC Dallas at Sporting Park. He made his debut on 29 May in a 3–2 win over Orlando City in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round, playing the first half before being replaced by C. J. Sapong;[9] his team went on to win the tournament, although he played no further part in their run. Dwyer made his MLS debut against Toronto FC on September 2, replacing Sapong for the final four minutes of a 2–1 home win for his only appearance of the regular season; on November 4, he made another substitute appearance in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs against the Houston Dynamo, a 2–0 away defeat.[10]

Following the 2012 Major League Soccer season, Dwyer went on trial with Scottish Premier League club St Mirren in hopes of securing a loan to gain playing time.[11] However, on January 3, 2013, it was announced that the proposed loan for Dwyer had been called off by Sporting.[12]

A little over a month later, Dwyer, along with three other teammates, were loaned to USL Pro club Orlando City for the 2013 season as part of the alliance between the two clubs.[10] He made an instant impact for the Lions by tallying two goals and one assist in the club's first three matches.[13] On May 4, 2013, Dwyer scored his first career hat-trick in a 7–2 victory over the Antigua Barracuda.[14] Three weeks later, he scored his 13th goal of the season against the Wilmington Hammerheads, tying the all-time season record in the USL Pro for goals with only 46% of the season played.[15] On June 7, Dwyer scored his 14th goal of the season against Phoenix FC, surpassing Jhonny Arteaga's tally of 13 goals for FC New York in 2011.[16] On June 22, 2013, Dwyer scored the opening goal of an international friendly against Fluminense of Brazil's Série A, an eventual 3–4 loss.[17]

On June 27, 2013, Dwyer was recalled by Sporting the morning after Orlando's US Open Cup defeat to Chicago Fire SC.[18] On August 3, he scored his first goal in MLS against the New York Red Bulls in the second minute of stoppage time, albeit in a 2–3 home loss.[19] Five days later, Dwyer made his debut in the CONCACAF Champions League for Sporting. In the 75th minute, he scored to give Sporting a 2–0 lead against Nicaraguan outfit, Real Esteli.[20] Coming back for one more game with Orlando City on September 7, Dwyer scored four goals, a club record for one game, against the Charlotte Eagles in the 2013 USL Pro Championship, leading the Lions to a 7–4 victory.[21]

On November 23, 2013, Dwyer scored the winning goal for Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference Final against Houston to lead them to the MLS Cup.[22] He was substituted for Claudio Bieler after 72 minutes of the championship game on December 7, which his team won 7–6 in a penalty shootout.[23]

Orlando City

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On July 25, 2017, Dwyer was traded from Sporting Kansas City to Orlando City, the MLS successor to the USL team he had previously been loaned to, in exchange for US$900,000 in guaranteed allocation funds (split between general and targeted), as well as up to US$700,000 in future allocation funds based on his performance.[24][25][26] This set the record for most expensive transfer in the league to date.[27]

Four days after his transfer, Dwyer made his Orlando debut by starting in a 1–1 tie at Atlanta United.[28] He scored his first two goals on September 16 against the same opponents, also assisting Cyle Larin as the game ended 3–3.[29] On August 3, he played the second half of the 2017 MLS All-Star Game against Real Madrid at Soldier Field, in which he scored a late equalizer for a 1–1 tie but missed his attempt as his team lost on penalties.[30]

Dwyer signed a three-year contract extension with Orlando City on January 3, 2018.[31] He led the team in goals in 2018 with 13 as Orlando finished last in the Eastern Conference and ahead of only San Jose in the overall standings.

Dwyer began the 2020 season injured, missing the opening two matches before the season was temporarily suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic.[32] He recovered by the time play resumed in June via the MLS is Back Tournament and started in the opening two group games, substituting off around the 60-minute mark in both in a bid to manage his workload. However, his injury reoccurred, forcing him to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery which ended his season.[33] On December 2, the club announced he would be leaving upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the year.[34]

Toronto FC

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On May 11, 2021, he signed with Toronto FC through the end of the 2022 season.[35]

On January 10, 2022, Toronto FC traded the forward, along with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 SuperDraft, to FC Dallas, in exchange for $50,000 in general allocation money, with Dallas immediately buying out Dwyer's contract.[36]

Atlanta United

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In 2022, Dwyer went on trial with MLS club Atlanta United.[37] In February, it was announced that he would sign a two-year deal with the club.[38] On February 27, just about a week after inking his deal with Atlanta, Dwyer was subbed on for Luiz Araújo due to a hamstring injury in the 22nd minute, and scored his first MLS goal in 2 seasons against Sporting Kansas City, as he contributed to Atlanta's 3–1 win in the season opener.[39] Dwyer was waived by Atlanta on January 6, 2023.[40]

Oakland Roots

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After being without a club for the 2023 season, Dwyer signed for USL Championship club Oakland Roots in April 2024.[41]

International career

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Born in England, Dwyer moved to the United States in 2009 and gained U.S. citizenship after eight years of residence in March 2017.[42] Following his naturalization, Dwyer was called up by the United States men's national team on June 3, 2017, as part of their 40-man preliminary roster for the 2017 Gold Cup.[43]

On June 25, 2017, Dwyer was named to the final 23-man Gold Cup roster for the United States men's national team. Dwyer scored in his first cap in a 2–1 friendly victory over Ghana on July 1, 2017. He scored again in his second cap on July 8, 2017, in the U.S.'s first match of the Gold Cup, a 1–1 tie with Panama, making him only the ninth player in USMNT history to score two goals in as many appearances.[44] He was one of six players replaced in the roster after the conclusion of the group stage of the tournament on July 16.[45]

Personal life

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Dwyer received his U.S. green card in 2012.[46] In January 2015, he married Sydney Leroux in a private ceremony, announcing it on February 14 on their social media.[47] Their son, Cassius Cruz Dwyer, was born in September 2016.[48] On March 17, 2017, Dwyer became an American citizen.[49][50] Their daughter, Roux James Dwyer, was born on June 28, 2019.[51] On August 6, 2021, Leroux announced on social media that she and Dwyer were divorcing.[52]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played October 9, 2022[53][54]
Club Season League Playoffs National cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sporting Kansas City 2012 MLS 1 0 1 0 1 0 — 3 0
2013 16 2 5 1 0 0 0 0 21 3
2014 33 22 0 0 0 0 7 2 40 24
2015 30 12 1 0 3 5 — 34 17
2016 33 16 1 0 2 0 — 36 16
2017 15 5 — 1 1 — 16 6
Total 128 57 8 1 7 6 7 2 150 66
Orlando City (loan) 2013 USL Pro 13 15 1 4 3 3 — 17 22
Orlando City 2017 MLS 12 4 — 0 0 — 12 4
2018 26 13 — 1 0 — 27 13
2019 26 7 — 2 0 — 28 7
2020 2 0 0 0 — — 2 0
Total 67 24 0 0 3 0 — 70 24
Toronto FC 2021 MLS 14 0 — 1 0 — 15 0
Atlanta United 2022 22 4 — 2 2 — 24 6
Career total 244 100 9 5 16 11 7 2 276 118

International

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As of November 14, 2017[53]
United States
Year Apps Goals
2017 4 2
Total 4 2
Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first.[53]
List of international goals scored by Dom Dwyer
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. July 1, 2017 Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, United States   Ghana 1–0 2–1 Friendly
2. July 8, 2017 Nissan Stadium, Nashville, United States   Panama 1–0 1–1 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honors

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Sporting Kansas City[53]

United States[53]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Straus, Brian (November 29, 2013). "Dom Dwyer finds his unexpected home in American soccer". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  2. ^ "Dom Dwyer MLS profile". www.mlssoccer.com.
  3. ^ "Hall of Fame". College of West Anglia. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Boehm, Charles (October 1, 2014). "Long shot: White House visit marks proud milestone for Sporting KC striker, USMNT hopeful Dom Dwyer". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  5. ^ Eskilson, J. R. (October 14, 2014). "College Soccer Professor: World's top youth academies deepen recruiting pool". Goal.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  6. ^ Palmer, Tom (January 12, 2012). "Sporting selects Dom Dwyer with 16th pick". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  7. ^ Amos, Owen (September 15, 2015). "Why more British students are taking US soccer scholarships". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  8. ^ "Dwyer gives Sporting KC yet another dynamic striker - MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  9. ^ "USOC: Soony Saad's second-half brace paces Sporting KC to 3–2 win over Orlando City - Sporting Kansas City". Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  10. ^ a b Austin, Kurt. "Sporting KC agrees to loan four players to USL PRO affiliate Orlando City SC". Sporting Kansas City. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  11. ^ "Kansas forward Dom Dwyer starts trial with St Mirren". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  12. ^ "Sporting Kansas City's Dom Dwyer not joining St Mirren". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  13. ^ "Lions Take Victory Against Rhinos". USL Pro. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  14. ^ "Dwyer Leads Lions Past Antigua". USL Pro. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  15. ^ "Dwyer ties league season scoring record as Orlando City downs Wilmington Hammerheads". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 30, 2013.[dead link]
  16. ^ "Dwyer Sets Record in Orlando Win". USL Pro. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  17. ^ "MATCH RECAP ORLANDO PUTS UP FIGHT, FALLS TO FLUMINENSE FC 4–3 IN FRONT OF 11,127". Orlando City SC. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  18. ^ Brisendine, Steve. "Dom Dwyer's record-breaking loan to Orlando City ends as Sporting Kansas City recall striker". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  19. ^ "Sporting Kansas City 2, New York Red Bulls 3 | MLS Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  20. ^ Rosenblatt, Ryan (August 8, 2013). "Real Esteli vs. Sporting KC: Final score 0–2, SKC dominant in Nicaragua". SB Nation. Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  21. ^ Orlando City Public Relations. "LIONS CAPTURE 2013 USL PRO CHAMPIONSHIP IN FRONT OF 20,886". Orlandocitysoccer.com. Orlando City S.C. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  22. ^ Brisendine, Steve. "Sporting Kansas City's Dom Dwyer adds to impressive year with "classy" winner vs. Dynamo". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  23. ^ Firchau, Nick (December 8, 2013). "Sporting KC 1, Real Salt Lake 1, SKC win 7–6 on PKs". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  24. ^ "Orlando City acquires Dom Dwyer in trade with Sporting Kansas City". ESPNFC.com. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  25. ^ Kovzan, Sam (July 25, 2017). "Sporting KC acquires up to $1.6 million in Allocation Money from Orlando City SC in exchange for forward Dom Dwyer". Sporting Kansas City. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  26. ^ McDowell, Sam (July 25, 2017). "Sporting KC trades Dom Dwyer to Orlando City SC". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  27. ^ DelGallo, Alicia (July 25, 2017). "Orlando City reaches agreement to bring Dom Dwyer back". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  28. ^ Quillen, Ian (July 30, 2017). "Atlanta United 1, Orlando City SC 1". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  29. ^ Boehm, Charles (September 16, 2017). "Atlanta United 3, Orlando City 3". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  30. ^ Stejskal, Sam (August 3, 2017). "Dom Dwyer's eventful summer continues with goal, PK miss in All-Star Game". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  31. ^ "Orlando City sign forward Dom Dwyer to new, three-year contract". January 3, 2018.
  32. ^ "Dom Dwyer ruled out for Orlando City's season-opener against Real Salt Lake". Orlando Soccer Journal. February 26, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  33. ^ "Orlando City SC Forward Dom Dwyer Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery". orlandocitysc.com. Orlando City SC. August 1, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  34. ^ "Orlando City SC Forward Dom Dwyer to Enter Free Agency". orlandocitysc.com. Orlando City SC. December 2, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  35. ^ "Toronto FC sign forward Dom Dwyer". Toronto FC. May 11, 2021.
  36. ^ "FC Dallas Acquires Third Overall Pick in 2022 MLS SuperDraft from Toronto FC". FC Dallas. January 10, 2022.
  37. ^ "Dom Dwyer trialing with Atlanta United". Dirty South Soccer. February 13, 2022.
  38. ^ Watson, Jamie [@jamiewatson77] (February 16, 2022). "Sources: Dom Dwyer has agreed to a 2 year guaranteed deal with #ATLUTD, pending a medical" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ "Recap: Atlanta United 3, Sporting Kansas City 1". Major League Soccer. February 27, 2022.
  40. ^ "Atlanta United waive forward Dom Dwyer | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  41. ^ "OAKLAND ROOTS SPORTS CLUB ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF STRIKER DOM DWYER". Oakland Roots SC. April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  42. ^ Rosenblatt, Ryan (March 16, 2017). "Dom Dwyer gets American citizenship, will be able to play for the USMNT". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  43. ^ "USA Submits 40-Player Preliminary Roster for 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup". ussoccer.com. June 3, 2017. Archived from the original on June 4, 2017.
  44. ^ "USA 1, Panama 1: 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  45. ^ "BRUCE ARENA MAKES SIX CHANGES TO U.S. MNT GOLD CUP ROSTER". US Soccer. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  46. ^ Brisendine, Steve. "Dom Dwyer for USMNT? Sporting KC forward: "Something every player would love to do"". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015.
  47. ^ "Soccer Power Couple – Who Wear Jersey Nos. 2 and 14 – Pick Valentine's Day to Reveal They're Married!". people.com. People Magazine. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  48. ^ Boehm, Charles (September 12, 2016). "Soccer power couple Dom Dwyer, Sydney Leroux welcome new son Cassius Cruz". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  49. ^ Kovzan, Sam. "Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer officially becomes U.S. citizen". sportingkc.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  50. ^ Dowd, Alex (March 17, 2017). "Watch an ecstatic Dom Dwyer officially become a U.S. citizen". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  51. ^ "Soccer Stars Dom Dwyer and Sydney Leroux Dwyer Welcome Daughter Roux James". PEOPLE.com.
  52. ^ Hertel, Alyssa. "Professional soccer players Sydney Leroux and Dom Dwyer split after six years of marriage". USA Today. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  53. ^ a b c d e "D. Dwyer". Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  54. ^ "MLS Soccer profile". Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
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