American Record Setter - Dom Dwyer - Sporting Kansas City

When Major League Soccer (MLS) struck an agreement with the (USL) United Soccer League's Pro Division, it made for a unique situation in American Soccer. The newly signed affiliations with selected 3rd Division clubs, allowed MLS players to be loaned to their junior counterparts.

 

The experience gained by several young players paid dividends by the end of the first year. Sporting Kansas City would go on to win the 2013 MLS Cup with the help of one of those loaned players.

Dom Dwyer basks in the glory of MLS CUP victory

 

Twenty-two year old Englishman, Dom Dwyer, was loaned to USL Pro club Orlando City for the duration of the 2013 season. He set a new record for most regular season goals (15) breaking the old record of 13 by FC New York's Jhonny Arteaga.

Dom Dwyer 2013 MLS Cup jersey

Dwyer was recalled to Sporting Kansas City at the conclusion of the USL Pro regular season. He went on the score his first goal in the club's Concacaf Champions League competition. This was followed up by his first MLS goal. Dwyer returned to Orlando City for their playoff Championship match where he exploded with 4 goals in their title victory.

2013 MLS Cup on frozen ground

 

Upon returning to Sporting Kansas City, he scored the playoff winner to take the Sporting to the MLS Cup Final.

Dom Dwyer 2013 MLS Cup jersey

 

By playing the 2013 MLS CUP with Sporting KC, Dwyer became the first player in American Soccer History to star in the 1st and 3rd Division Championships in the same season. In celebrating the USL and MLS victories, he also became the first to win both.

2013 MLS CUP Champions - Sporting Kansas City

 

The INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ARCHIVES has acquired the Dom Dwyer's 2013 MLS CUP Final jersey for the ISA collection. 

MLS CUP Inscribed jersey crest

USL PRO 2013 Champions - Richmond Kickers - Joseph Ngwenya

Transferring from MLS club DC United in April of 2013, Zimbabwe International Joseph Ngwenya led the Richmond Kickers to the 2013 USL Pro (3rd Division) title.

 

Ngweyna battles against Orlando City

2013 Richmond Kickers - Joseph Ngwenya

 

Ngwenya's 10 goals in all competitions led the Kickers in scoring in 2013. Richmond lost to long time rivals DC United on penalty kicks in the U.S. Open Cup.  

2013 Richmond Kickers - Joseph Ngwenya

 

The Kickers are one of the most accomplished lower division clubs in the USA. Past winners of the the U.S. Open Cup (1995), Richmond won its 3rd USL title in 2013 and its 5th over all league Championship.

 

 

Golden Boot Winner - Chris Wondolowski

Affectionately called "Wondo", Chris Wondolowski is a record setter. His 72 goals in the last four MLS seasons is the best strike rate since the league began in 1996. In 2012, Chris tied the Major League Soccer record for most goals in a season with 27. He tied Roy Lassiter whose record setting jersey is also here at the ARCHIVES.

 

In 2013, Wondolowski led the USA to the CONCACAF GOLD CUP title as the tournament's top scorer with 5 tallies. He was immortalized when his name was misspelled (WONDOWLOWSKI) on the back of his jersey for the match against Belize where he recorded a hat trick. 

2012 San Jose Earthquakes

 

The INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ARCHIVES has added Wondolowski's jersey from his record 2012 MLS season. In addition to being the Golden Boot winner, he was also named the league's Most Valuable Player in 2012.

 

2012 San Jose Earthquakes

signed # 8 Chris Wondolowski

 

Wondolowski is the San Jose Earthquakes all-time leading goal scorer.