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Dom Dwyer ‘would jump’ at USMNT chance as he nears U.S. citizenship

Photo by Winslow Townson/USA Today Sports
Photo by Winslow Townson/USA Today Sports

Dom Dwyer isn’t a U.S. citizen quite yet, but the Sporting KC forward is already looking forward to what may happen when the process is done and dusted.

Dwyer told ESPN FC that he is just weeks away from filing paperwork that would make him a U.S. citizen. The move would see him become eligible to represent the U.S. Men’s National Team, something he hopes to do once the process is completed.

“February 14 marks the date of my five years of holding a green card, so then I’ll be eligible for citizenship,” Dwyer told ESPN FC. “That paperwork is sitting there, ready to filed on the 14th, and we’ll see where it goes from there.”

“I’ve lived here for about nine years now in the U.S.,” he added. “I wasn’t born here but this is, if not my second home, my home. This country has given me a lot. If I have the opportunity to give something back, I would jump at it.”

Born in England, Dwyer moved to the U.S. in 2009 when he enrolled at Tyler Junior College in Texas. After transferring for one season at the University of South Florida, Dwyer was drafted by Sporting KC in 2012.

Since, Dwyer has scored 52 goals in 113 appearances for the club, becoming one of MLS’ most consistent strikers.

Coming off an ankle injury, Dwyer joked that it was for the best that he wasn’t prepared for the January camp, which is currently being held in Los Angeles. He says he spoke briefly to Jurgen Klinsmann about potentially representing the U.S. but, with Bruce Arena now in charge, Dwyer is hoping to make an impression on the new head coach.

“In passing, he’s a guy I respect. He’d always shake my hand after the games against LA.,” Dwyer said of Arena. “I’ve heard only good things [about] him, especially from a lot of other players.”

Comments

  1. I’d like to get a look at him. He’s a very good finisher and has a relentless work ethic, honestly is not terribly different in skillset or mentality from a Bobby Wood.

    Especially if we’re going to be playing a 4-4-2 as is Arena’s usual go-to, you’d think he could pair pretty successfully with an Altidore type. Altidore has had success with live-wire types in the past – first Charlie Davies and then Bobby Wood with the USMNT, and Giovinco with Toronto – and I think Dwyer could either challenge or back up Wood for that “false 9” who plays off Altidore.

    It’d be particularly priceless if we could beat England with him at some point. Be ample just deserts all the way ’round and a glaring illustration of the train wreck that is the English national team.

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  2. A lot will depend on what formation/formations Arena decides to use. At the moment we’ve a number of options at striker….
    Jozy, Wood, Morris, Zardes, Agudelo, Johannsson, Boyd, with a number of young players who could emerge in the not too distant future (Rubin, Wright, Perez, Lennon, etc…). Dwyer would potentially need to beat out at least 3 of the current guys.

    If Arena goes with a 4-5-1 there isn’t much need to carry more than 3 or 4 strikers. But if our midfield options/depth improve enough to move to a 4-3-3 it would open up more striker options.

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    • Options are certainly one thing, but dependable players is a completely different conversation.

      — Altidore, when healthy, makes an argument to start every match.
      — Wood, when given the opportunity, makes an argument to start every match.

      The rest? Injury plagued or inconsistent. Competition is a great thing, but the long list you provided raises more question marks than answers. I’d welcome Dwyer to the mix.

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  3. Not likely a starter for the US team, but could be a contributor. Personally, although Wondo scored more, I would prefer Dwyer to Wondo in his prime. I think Dwyer is quicker and more skilled.

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  4. How does his marriage not fast track his citizenship? Is it because Leroux was born in Canada?

    I think he could fit the Wondo roll on the team.

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    • His marriage would only fast track his naturalization if he had obtained his residency through the marriage. I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing he didn’t.

      Reply

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