FC Dallas buys Dom Dwyer and gets SuperDraft pick from Toronto FC

FC Dallas just acquired veteran Dom Dwyer from Toronto FC but in addition, and in the same transaction they picked up the No. 3 pick in the MLS SuperDraft that will take place this Tuesday, Jan. 11.

All this is in exchange for 50 thousand dollars in GAM, which Toronto FC will be able to use to finish building their team for the tournament that begins in February of this year. 

In the transaction, FC Dallas first acquired the player and then bought out his contract, making him a free agent. The team made this transaction because if they did not, they would have to pay a much higher salary to the player.

This is because according to the MLSPA Player Salary Guide, Dwyer earned $81,375 in guaranteed compensation in 2021, the league minimum for veteran players. 

However, as reported by Waking the Red's Michael Singh, Toronto FC was going to pay Dwyer significantly more than the league minimum in 2022.

Dwyer's purchase was more about gaining leverage in the SuperDraft than faith in the player

Dwyer, 31, spent the 2021 season with Toronto and did not record a goal in 14 appearances (six starts). 

It was his second consecutive scoreless season, although he played only two games for Orlando City SC in 2020 due to injury. 

The veteran forward has 81 goals and 19 assists in 209 MLS appearances, mostly with Sporting Kansas City.

Dwyer's move to Toronto FC occurred just last May and prior to that, the player spent nine seasons with Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City. 

At the time Reds General Manager Ali Curtis described Dwyer as "a potent attacking player who has experience scoring goals in this league."

Even Dwyer himself was upbeat upon his arrival at his new club. At the time he stated:

"There is a lot of hunger and desire here. I want to repay the faith that the coaches, the general manager, and the (Toronto) soccer club have shown in me by signing me..... I think I have a lot more soccer in me."

And at the time the player seemed like a great option but his numbers at the club were not what was expected. 

He landed a contract after a trial with the club that was cut short on the fourth day when he tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to leave the group and self-isolate.

So it is very likely that the purchase was more about getting the advantage in SuperDraft than getting the player. 

It even sounds like with the purchase of Lorenzo Insigne a few days ago, Toronto FC is preparing for the financial burden that a player of that level can bring to the club. 

Dwyer had a glorious past, will it be repeated in his new team?

However, don't count out a player who, during his time at RSL scored 67 goals in all competitions and has been very unlucky recently. He was also one of the key players in Sporting Kansas City winning the MLS Cup in 2013.

At the time, Dwyer was the most sought-after striker in MLS, so much so that his stay generated a duel of statements between Orlando City SC coach Adrian Heath and Peter Vermes, the SKC strategist.

Will Dwyer be able to play the same role in his new team as he did in the past?