ORLANDO, Fla.—A two-goal performance from Dom Dwyer may have helped spearhead Orlando City SC to only their first win of the season, but the Englishmen believes this will be a turning point for the Lions.
“Yeah, it was vital,” Dwyer said. “You always want to get your first one of the season, get the ball rolling, so we we got our first win and we’ll build from there,” Dwyer said, after Saturday’s 4-3 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Orlando City Stadium.
“It was important for us this week, something that we focused on and nothing else [but a win] was good enough today,” he added.
Dwyer scored in the 26th and 48th minutes to secure a brace, and Orlando head coach Jason Kreis praised the forward for his performance after recovering from a quad injury that had sidelined the star forward since the preseason.
“Super. Super to have him back. From one particular point of view, just tactically, he gives us a little bit more of a true No. 9,” Kreis said. “We’ve been kind of playing without one for the first three matches so to have a true target there, a true player that’s going to be in the box to finish things is real nice for us from a tactical point of view.”
Big credit to him for taking his goals. He took them both very, very well. He showed in particular an amazing amount of commitment. And we’re still building – Last week was [Dwyer's] first scrimmage minutes in an 11-a-side for over a month. Barely made it through 45. I think today he threw his guts out there for us to last 60 or 65, whatever it was.”
The former Sporting Kansas City attacker played 64 minutes before getting substituted out for rookie Chris Mueller.
Sacha Kljestan, who recorded his first assist of the game during Will Johnson’s 15th-minute equalizer, said he hopes to further their connection in the coming weeks.
“I’d love to say Dom will get two and I’d get two every game and life will be perfect, although I know that’s not going to happen. But it’s a step in the right direction,” Kljestan said. “I’ve said that Dom and I need to continue to work together and get to know each other on the field and our tendencies. Hopefully by the end of the season we’re firing.”
That the first opportunity to build came against RBNY is perhaps fortutious: Dwyer has scored seven goals in eight games against the Red Bulls.
“It’s a nice drink, [Red Bull],” Dywer quipped.
