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

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.

MLS to EPL Pipeline Leads to Unique Record

As two significant entities celebrate their anniversaries, one common thread pulls them together.

The Football Association of England is 150 years old while the United States Open Cup (Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup) is 100 years old.

 

The advancement of players from the 17 year old MLS (Major League Soccer) is a viable route for many players to the English Premier League. Arguably the most popular league in the world, the EPL has recruited several dozen players from North America's top league - including Brek Shea, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Geoff Cameron and Clint Dempsey.

 

 

Espinosa wins the Cup with Wigan

 

Last year's Open Cup Champions - Sporting Kansas City lost Kai Kamara, on loan to Norwich City, for half the MLS season. Honduran International Roger Espinosa (pictured above) was signed outright by Wigan Athletic.

 

Espinosa accomplished the unique feat of winning the U.S. Open Cup followed by winning the F.A. Cup in successive seasons.

Espinosa's game-worn shoes from the 2012 Cup Final

 

To our knowledge, only one player - Freddie Ljungberg - has won both the FA Cup (2002 Arsenal) and the US Open Cup (2009 Seattle), although not in consecutive seasons.

There is a short list of pre-war players who have participated in the English F.A. Cup.

None of them have won both the US Open Cup and the FA Cup.

There are several who played in a Scottish Cup Final and the US Cup Final. None have won both.

In the modern era, John Harkes and Kasey Keller have both won the English League Cup and the Open Cup. Harkes was also a runner up in the FA Cup with Sheffield Wednesday.

 

 

Espinosa in action for Sporting KC wearing "the shoes"

 

As more MLS talent goes overseas, it is likely that more of them may win a medal or two. but for now, Roger Espinosa's rare double stands out. Congratulations to him !

 

 

U.S. Open Cup, Sporting Kansas City and London Olympic Artifacts at I.S.A.

The 99th Edition of the U.S. Open Cup was won by Sporting Kansas City as they dethroned the 3-time Champions Seattle Sounders. The battle at Livestrong Sporting Park was physical and it took a penalty shoot-out to stop Seattle from winning an unprecedented 4th straight Cup Final.

Jubilant Kansas City players (above) sport their winner's medals and hold the Open Cup Trophy.

The 99th winners medal which has been added to the I.S.A. Collection.

The seldom seen reverse of the U.S. Open Cup winners medal (above).

American International GRAHAM ZUSI (above) earned his first medal in the 2012 Final.

The match-worn GRAHAM ZUSI jersey, complete with blood and grass strains. The hallmark patch on the inside collar is for LAMAR HUNT, founder of Sporting Kansas City. Hunt's name also appears on the Open Cup competition and trophy.

The reverse of the midfielder's # 8 jersey

 The first Champagne cork (above) from Sporting Kansas City's 2012 victory

Among the celebration was a well traveled ROGER ESPINOSA (far left).

 ESPINOSA starred with HONDURAS in their remarkable run through the 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS

Only days after returning from London, ESPINOSA played in the Cup Final (playing against Brazil above).

The OLYMPIC worn shoes (above) that ESPINOSA wore in the Cup Final.

Another look at the OLYMPIC worn shoes (above and below)

The ticket for the 2012 U.S. OPEN CUP FINAL

The International Soccer Archives has one of the largest collections of U.S. Open Cup memorabilia in the world.

MLS playoffs ... American Coaches ... and Kasey Keller as MLS Commissioner

The I.S.A. was on the call as MLS coaches and players weighed in to the playoffs, American coaching (specifically  Bob Bradley's appointment as Egypt's National Team Manager) and last call for American legend - Kasey Keller on goalkeeping and becoming MLS commissioner on January 2nd.

You can listen to the press conference Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders) here (ISA questions begin at the 7:00 minute mark).

And Bruce Arena (LA Galaxy) here. (ISA questions begin at about the 7:50 minute mark.)

And Peter Vermes (Sporting Kansas City) here. (ISA questions begin at the :0 minute mark.)