Dom Dwyer broke Major League Soccer history last week, after he was acquired by Orlando City SC. Dwyer goes to the Lions from Sporting Kansas City for a potential $1.6 million in allocation money. The amount actually breaks down to $400,000 in General Allocation Money. $500,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. Plus, $700,000 in future allocation money based on Dwyer’s performance for Orlando. Dwyer leaves behind the team that he entered the MLS in, finishing his career in Kansas City with 128 appearances and 57 goals.
The forward was already in an Orlando City jersey back in 2013, when he went on loan with the at the time, USL PRO club. He totaled 13 appearances, scoring 15 goals. However, Dwyer isn’t just leaving behind a city that he’s lived in since 2012. He’s also leaving behind his wife, Sydney Leroux, and their son Cassius.
Dom Dwyer Traded to Orlando; Will Sydney Leroux Join Him?
Back in 2016, Leroux switched NWSL teams, from the Western New York Flash, (now the North Carolina Courage), to FC Kansas City to be with her husband. The two married back in January 2015.
Doing this again would be tricky. The Pride have an enormous amount of depth at the forward position. Alex Morgan is the face of their franchise, and Marta was a major acquisition for this NWSL season. The club also has Jasmyne Spencer and Jamia Fields. Chioma Ubogagu and Rachel Hill are also there as well.
Normally, Orlando Pride head coach Tom Sermanni features a three woman forward line. With Marta, Morgan and Spencer filling those roles. Although, Ubogagu sometimes swaps with Spencer.
If Leroux is to go to the Pride, she’d likely take up that third slot, benching Obugagu and Spencer. Two strikers, who are talented and have delivered on many occasions for the Pride. Could they be the ones, sent the other way?
FC Kansas City’s Case
With Amy Rodriguez out for the entire season, due to a torn ACL. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski relies heavily on Leroux and Shea Groom up front. FC Kansas City’s other forwards include Maegan Kelly and Brittany Ratcliffe. Kelly has totaled only 261 minutes on the pitch, while Ratcliffe has 828 minutes for FC Kansas City. Both forwards combined, have only scored one goal and one assist between them.
If there’s any chance that FC Kansas City trades Leroux, (which I believe wouldn’t happen until the off-season), they would ask a lot from the Pride. No, they might not get the same money that the Lions got for Dwyer. However, it wouldn’t be unlikely to see FC Kansas City ask for two forwards, and maybe even a draft pick as well.
Final Thoughts
Orlando City are over the moon with the Dom Dwyer acquisition. And the Pride could soon follow by adding what would be their fourth U.S. Women’s National Team player (they have Morgan, Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris already on their roster.)
However, the Pride are going to have to pay a hefty price if they want Leroux, as well.
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About The Author: Rachael Kriger
Rachael Kriger is a sports journalist covering the U.S. Women's National Team, NWSL and Seattle Sounders FC for Last Word on Soccer. Kriger's work can also be found at Equalizer Soccer, Pittsburgh Sports Castle and Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Kriger is the Communications Director for the North American Soccer Reporters and a member of the official NWSL Media Association.
On Twitter:@RachaelKriger