By TATE STEINLAGE 

Major League Soccer’s second-leading scorer has finally found himself named to the 2014 All-Star game.

The league announced Sunday that Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer will replace Toronto FC forward Jermain Defoe in Wednesday’s clash against Bayern Munich in Portland. Defoe was forced to withdraw from the event due to injury after not playing in Toronto’s weekend victory over the Montreal Impact.

“I am excited to play with some of the best players in Major League Soccer and in the world,” Dwyer said in a release. “It should be a memorable week and I look forward to the events, the game and representing MLS.”

The 24-year-old has 14 goals in 22 matches and an assist thus far this season after scoring just two goals for Sporting KC last year — a year in which Dwyer was loaned to USL PRO affiliate Orlando City SC before being recalled in the latter stages of June.

Dwyer joins teammates Matt Besler, Graham Zusi, and Aurelien Collin on the 23-man roster. With the addition, Sporting KC is tied with the Seattle Sounders for the most players in the All-Star game among any team. 

Fellow Sporting KC teammates Erik Palmer-Brown and Jon Kempin will also take part in the week’s festivities. Both are slated to participate in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game Monday against the Timbers’ U-23 squad. 

——-

What do you think of Dwyer’s inclusion? Should the forward have been on the roster before? Share your thoughts below.