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

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.

Moore and Vermes Inducted Into US Soccer Hall of Fame

The induction of 2 more pioneer players of  MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER have been selected to the United States Hall of Fame. Although the American Hall no longer exists in a building form, the ceremonial induction takes place in conjunction with other soccer events.

 

JOE-MAX MOORE

 

Caps: 100  Goals: 24

Clubs: Saarbrucken (Germany), FC Nurnberg (Germany), New England Revolution (USA), Everton (England)

 

The son of a former owner of the NASL's Tulsa Roughnecks, Joe-Max Moore was destined to be part of the American soccer scene from childhood. By the time he was old enough for professional football, there wasn't the caliber in place for his talents. Moore moved to Europe and endured the struggles of an American making it in German football.

 

He did surprising well, and when the MLS was assigning designated stars to the inaugural franchises, Moore landed with New England.  He stayed long enough to score at a rate of better than a goal every 2 games.

 

He moved to Everton in the Premier League and made over 50 appearances. He finished out his career with a return to New England for one last season. He was art of 3 US World Cup Teams (1994-2002)

Joe-Max Moore's 1996 Inaugural New England Revolution jersey (ISA photo)

Moore in action in the inaugural 1996 MLS season wearing the above shirt.

(photo ISA)

 

PETER VERMES

 

Caps: 67 Goals: 11

Clubs: New Jersey Eagles (USA), Raba Eto (Hungary), Volendam (Holland), Tampa Bay Rowdies (USA), Figueres (Spain), New York Fever (USA), New York MetroStars (USA), Colorado Rapids (USA), Kansas City (USA)

 

Having to earn his living as a traveler for the early part of his career made Peter Vermes ripe for football management. A very capable striker who became a utility player based on his determination and diversity.

 

A key player for the USA at the 1990 and 1994 World Cup, Vermes was a Captain in Colorado's(1997) and Kansas City's(2000) MLS Cup runs playing as a defender. The latter resulting in the MLS Championship victory.

(photo ISA)

Vermes wear the above jersey as MLS Champions.

 

It seems the next generation of inductees may just include players who only have played in MLS. The importance of these traveling pioneers cannot be measured in mere statistics, but rather the compliments of their peers.

 

Both these players are honored by the INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ARCHIVES with their jerseys.

A Season to Remember: ROY LASSITER 1996

With all the talk about Chris Wondolowski having a great year, and the chance to break the single-season scoring record, its has been a mere mention about the accomplishments of Roy Lassiter in 1996.

Record setter - Roy Lassiter

ROY LASSITER (above) was the top goal scorer in the inaugural year of MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER. He led his TAMPA BAY MUTINY to the best league record in 1996. Although not yet established, the now defunct club was subsequently awarded the Supporter's Shield as regular season Champions.

And still, the magnificence of Lassiter's goal scoring may have been overshadowed by the fact that the USA was to finally have a top professional soccer circuit. Not present since the demise of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1984, the idea of riding on the successes of the 1994 FIFA World Cup and 7 of their 9 venues was pure elation for the nation's soccer faithful.

The jersey from Roy Lassiter's record breaking 1996 season

Cought up in the euphoria of star designations assigned to the clubs were Roberto Donadoni to NY / NJ MetroStars, Jorge Campos to Los Angeles, Carlos Valderrama to Tampa and Hugo Sanchez to Dallas. 

There was a good deal of talent in a small pool. MLS had recalled most of their 1990's World Cup players and added the best of the existing talent from the American Professional Soccer League.

Lassiter's trademark "flying" celebration (above) was a hit for MLS fans.

Lassiter had scored 27 goals in 30 games while playing in a 32 game season. He added 6 more in 5 playoff games. However, the club would be eliminated by eventual MLS Cup winners, DC United.

The jersey of Roy Lassiter (above) in the Collection of the ISA.

In total, Roy netted 37 goals in 60 games for the Mutiny and a total of 88 regular season finishes in his MLS career. 

He set the high mark for goal scorers, of which only 7 players have surpassed the 20-goal mark.

We will know in the next few weeks if there is a new bar set for the future.