Friday 22 April 2016 15:43, UK
An Englishman who took an unconventional path to playing professional football. Dom Dwyer is living the American dream.
After leaving college in England and released by Norwich City's academy, Dwyer was playing football for Kings Lynn where he was scouted and earned a football scholarship to play in the United States.
He spent two years at a junior college in Texas and another year at the University of South Florida, before he was drafted as the 12th pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City.
Dwyer experienced a slow start to his MLS career, including a loan spell at Orlando City when they played in the third tier (United Soccer League), and it wasn't until the 2013 season when he earned a starting role in Kansas.
But when he did, he thrived as he scored 22 goals in 33 appearances in the 2015 season. He scored nine last season and four already this year. Dwyer can also boast winning the 2013 MLS Cup.
This season, Sporting Kansas City have had a mixed start to their league campaign. They've won four and lost three matches. Kansas are currently fourth in the Western Conference standings and will be looking to recover from their two-game losing streak against San Jose Earthquakes this weekend - live on Sky Sports.
So ahead of the game, we ask Dwyer 10 MLS-related questions.
Already on four goals for the season, what do you put your good start down to?
I worked very hard this off-season. I wanted to get better every single year so I wouldn't say it was a strong start, it's been an okay start. I expect myself to score goals so I hope they come more consistently.
It's game two of three away games in a row (having just played Dallas, now San Jose then Vancouver). Is it challenging when there's so much travel involved?
The travel is definitely a challenge. A lot of players who come from England straight into the league take six months or so to adapt to that but it's definitely tough. The travel takes it out of you but you get used to it.
You moved from playing in England to breaking through college to play in MLS, is it a route you recommend to other young English footballers?
It's not easy, it's a tough transition. The game's different. The speed, the strength. It's maybe not quite as quick as the English game but it's very physical, very intense.
It's a fun place to play. The lifestyle is very different, you get to travel around a lot. I absolutely loved it and I would recommend it to any footballer who wants to try and make a career of it. It's a tough route to go but it is anywhere.
You won the MLS Cup in 2013, what was that like winning your first major league title?
It was amazing. It was a very cool experience and I will remember that one forever. It was my first year properly in the side, I started the game, and it was very cool to be involved with after a long season, it's very rewarding if you win. The play-off system is very different (to England).
Aged 25, do you harbour ambition of playing in the Premier League or elsewhere in Europe?
Growing up it's always been a dream of mine to play in the Premier League.
Hopefully in the next two or three years something will happen, but It depends how I progress. If I can catch someone's eye, if I can get a bit of attention over there then it's something I'd be interested in.
I was trying to get a few January loans in the last couple of years, I trained up at Charlton. It went well, they wanted to take me on loan but they couldn't quite figure out a deal with Kansas to get it done.
It would have to be the right situation, environment, and the right coach. I'll see what opportunities come my way and if I'm lucky enough to get that then we'll see if we can figure it out.
In football terms, do you see yourself more as an Englishman or American?
I'd still say I'm very much English. All my family is still in England, they would love me to come back home. At the same time, America's been my home for the last eight or nine years now.
If the opportunities come for me with the US national team then that's something that could be a possibility as well. I'm not sure I'll be taking Harry Kane's spot in the England team!
Was Thierry Henry one of the toughest players you came up against in the league?
Thierry Henry was the guy. He was one of the main influences on me. I watched him growing up for years and years, I had quite a few opportunities to play against him when he was in MLS. That's why I have the number 14. I'll always try to stick with 14 in my career, always have been.
Who would you say is the best player in MLS right now?
I'm a bit biased (being a Liverpool fan) but I would say Robbie Keane. He's been a fantastic player over the last few years but it's his movement that separates him from a lot of players.
He's not the fastest but he finds himself in space. He's a threat constantly and you've got to keep your eye on him so I really rate him.
Bradley Wright-Phillips (at New York Red Bulls) is also one of the top forwards in the league. There's a lot of forwards in the league I enjoy watching.
A selfie goal celebration you did in 2014 went viral. What was the thinking behind it?
There wasn't much thinking around it to be honest! We like to try and interact with our fans and get them involved.
One of the guys in our team said 'hey, you should take a selfie if you score a goal' and I said 'alright.' I banged a goal in and saw there was a guy with a phone in the corner. I just said 'give me your phone and we'll take a selfie' and that was that really!
You went to the Justin Bieber concert in Kansas a few weeks ago, how was it and what's your favourite song?
It was fun! It was good little team night out, I'm a Justin Bieber fan now. I enjoy his music and I'm not afraid to admit it. I don't really have a favourite song … but I'll say Company just tops it.
