Dwyer On Record Run In Orlando

Dom Dwyer has the knack.

Whether it’s being in the right place at the right time, using his head or his right or his left foot, or taking on defenders himself, Dwyer isn’t afraid to do what it takes to shoulder the responsibility of being a goal scorer.

Dwyer, 23, who was born in Cuckfield, England, has showcased his ability to score goals at each level he has played. At Tyler Junior College in Texas, he was named the 2010 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Player of the Year after leading the nation in goals (37) and points.

He was a key force in Tyler JC’s run to national titles in 2009 and 2010, and a 42-consecutive game unbeaten streak and a 41-0-1 record in his two years.

In 2011, Dwyer, a 5-foot-9 forward, led the Big East Conference in goals (16) and points (34) at the University of South Florida. Named Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Week two weeks in a row in October, he played an integral role in an offense that led the league in goals per game (2.12). goals per game.

Now Dwyer is breaking records for the Orlando City Soccer Club of the United Soccer Leagues Professional Division. Through 13 games, Dwyer has set a single-season league mark for goals (15) and is a key reason why Orlando City (10-1-2) leads USL Pro with 32 points.

Dwyer also leads the league in points (31, which is 11 more than teammate Jamie Watson) and shots (52).

[show_disconnected][show_to accesslevel=’Subscriber’] “It is about not being afraid to want to be that guy who has the opportunity to score a goal and not being afraid to miss a chance,” Dwyer said. “If I miss a chance, I am not going to hide away. I want the ball again, I am going to get the ball again, and I am going to score the next one.”

Dwyer has built his total in a variety of ways. He also isn’t afraid to admit that you have a little luck to be a goal scorer. But Dwyer feels he works hard to put himself in situations to create luck and scoring chances for himself and his teammates.

In that respect, his time with Orlando City is well spent.

On Jan. 12, 2012, Sporting Kansas City used the #16 overall pick to select Dwyer in the 2012 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. He made his debut on May 29 in a 3-2 victory against Orlando City in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

He made his MLS debut against Toronto FC and came off the bench in a playoff match against the Houston Dynamo. In all, Dwyer played in nine Reserve League matches last year, scoring two goals for Kansas City.

After the 2012 MLS season, Dwyer went on trial with the Scottish Premier League club St. Mirren in hopes of securing a loan to receive playing time. In January 2013, Sporting K.C. called off the proposed loan for Dwyer.

The club then loaned Dwyer and three other teammates to Orlando City foR the season. Dwyer had two goals and an assist in Orlando City’s first three matches.

He had hit first hat trick (three goals) in a 7-2 victory against Antigua on May 4, and has been on a tear ever since. On June 7, Dwyer scored his 14th goal against Phoenix FC to eclipse the previous record for goals in a season (13) set by Jhonny Arteaga for FC New York in 2011.

Dwyer will be eligible for Orlando City’s game against MLS’ Chicago Fire on June 26 in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.

Orlando City defeated 2012 US Open Cup Champion Sporting Kansas City 1-0 on June 12 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States, for the first time.

For Dwyer, it could be another opportunity to showcase his goal-scoring abilities to a wider audience. It shouldn’t be surprising Dwyer has that knack. When he was 14 or 15, he remembers playing in England and one of his coaches told him he would earn his money in and around the penalty area.

Even though he was a teenager, Dwyer said he grasped the significance of that comment and felt he was already on a path to professional soccer, even though he acknowledged there have been plenty of people who told him or thought he wasn’t good enough to make it.

As a reminder, Dwyer got a tattoo in January 2013 when he was in California and before he was loaned to Orlando City. It says “Tell me I can’t and I will show you I can.” The phrase is written in Latin, and he feels suits him.

At the time, Dwyer wasn’t sure where his road would lead. When Sporting Kansas City informed him they were loaning him to Orlando City, Dwyer admits he didn’t take the news well.

He said he talked with members of his family and took a few days before he realized the move was a good opportunity that would give him more playing time.

More importantly, Dwyer knew playing with Orlando City would give him plenty of chances to score goals and to prove he belonged as long as he did his job and was dangerous up top.

So far, Dwyer has been more than dangerous. He has been deadly.

“It has been a chance to get into games and to do well and to improve as a player,” Dwyer said. “I was not too keen on it at first, but now I love it and I am happy it happened and I am glad it is paying off.”

Dwyer said his confidence buoys him through the ups and downs goal scorers experience. As center forward, he credits his teammates for helping put him in situations where he can express his personality and show off his confidence.

He said it hasn’t surprised him that he has shattered the single-season scoring record. In fact, he said he “expected” it.

How Dwyer’s play this season will affect his future remains to be seen. Dwyer isn’t thinking about that now, though. He said his focus is squarely on Orlando City and helping the Lions, who have won two regular-season titles and a postseason championship in their time in Orlando, another title.

“I am a professional and I have a job to do to score goals,” Dwyer said. “The record is nice, but I am not done yet, and I am going to give a lot more.

“I am playing at a good level and with good players. If you play with good players it is going to bring your level up. I am enjoying myself and working hard. I need to get better at everything.

“Once you are satisfied you lose the battle. If you are satisfied with how you are, you are not going to go higher. I want to get better in every part of my game, and I am going to keep pushing myself every day to keep doing that.”