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Houston Dynamo Vs Orlando City SC: 3 things to watch – The Dom Dwyer resurgence

By Connor Dittmeier

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Orlando City forward Nani (17) celebrates after scoring a goal during the soccer match between LAFC and Orlando City on September 7, 2019, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Orlando City forward Nani (17) celebrates after scoring a goal during the soccer match between LAFC and Orlando City on September 7, 2019, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 07: Orlando City forward Dom Dwyer (14) kicks the ball during the soccer match between LAFC and Orlando City on September 7, 2019, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 07: Orlando City forward Dom Dwyer (14) kicks the ball during the soccer match between LAFC and Orlando City on September 7, 2019, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Can Dom Dwyer build some momentum?

Dom Dwyer is in the second year of a three-year contract with Orlando City SC, which was signed ahead of the 2018 season. He went on to record 13 goals in 26 appearances that season, making him the team’s highest goalscorer.

Dwyer is no stranger to scrutiny throughout his career. His tenacious and oftentimes inspiring personality on the pitch can quickly turn the tide of the match. That same tenacity has turned into a weakness on occasion, racking up seven yellow cards in 25 games this season. Furthermore, his influence in the final third has been sporadic in 2019 as he battled injuries early in the campaign.

It took ten matches for Dwyer to get back on the scoresheet on Saturday night. His last goal came on July 7th against the Philadelphia Union. Since joining Orlando in the middle of the 2017 season, Dwyer has recorded 23 goals and seven assists in 4,653 minutes averaging 0.44 goals per 90 minutes.

Dwyer has immense talent, but the Lions have struggled to finish off chances. His dip in form is untimely, to say the least. His goal against the New England Revolution, however, just might rekindle the form he is capable of exhibiting.

His header with his back against goal was a thing of beauty, dipping past Revs keeper Matt Turner. It was the exact type of goal Orlando needed to get the players and the supporters back in the game. And that is what Dwyer offers. He can turn a match around in an instant.

There is no time like the present. The Lions need Dwyer to finish off the season strong and show that he can be a force in the Orlando attack for the 2020 season, and building off of an impressive performance last weekend is the perfect way to start.

Next. Portland Timbers Vs New York Red Bulls: 3 things we learned. dark

Orlando City SC are not out of the playoffs yet. With Nani looking like himself again, Dwyer in conjunction with Tesho Akindele just might find a way to fire the Lions back into the playoff hunt.

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