Sporting KC: Dom Dwyer traded to Orlando City FC

Sporting KC made a pretty surprising move today by trading their top goal scorer of the past few years, Dom Dwyer, to Orlando City FC in a record setting deal.

With all the hype around the NBA offseason and the MLB trade deadline, the MLS took a back seat in terms of transaction news this month. However, Sporting KC is making headlines today by trading star forward Dom Dwyer to Orlando City FC. The deal is a milestone for the MLS as it has the potential of breaking the million dollar barrier in US soccer.

The deal can be for as much as $1.6 million for Sporting KC, but much of that is incentive based. Only $900 thousand is guaranteed up front. Still, it seems very unlikely that the million dollar barrier won’t be broken. That is huge for a league that has not seen fit to spend big on its top stars yet.

Of course, there will be a mixed bag of reactions regarding this trade. While Sporting KC is getting a huge financial compensation package, they are also giving up one of the best players in the league. That doesn’t come without its share of drawbacks.

Could They Afford To Lose Him?

The thing that jumps out at me right off the bat is that Sporting KC really has no business getting rid of offensive talent. This is a team that seems on pace to make some real noise in the MLS this year. However, they have struggled quite a bit on the offensive side of things. Dom Dwyer, though quiet this year, has been a reliable goal scorer for them.

When you look at what Sporting KC has on offense without Dwyer, it’s hard to get too excited. Some of the new additions to the team have flashed talent, but nobody has been a consistent threat for SKC. They need a player that can draw the attention of the defense to help open up the attack.

Related Story: Sporting KC: Dom Dwyer makes KC Proud On National Stage

Unless someone like Latif Blessing or Gerso Fernandes can step up and become more consistent, this trade is a strategic failure. That’s betting a lot on players who haven’t been able to hit the back of the net on a regular basis the way Dom Dwyer has in his career.

What Do They Gain?

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On the other side of things, Sporting KC can do a whole lot with the money they are getting here. Sporting has already had some success in the international market, but this could help things even more. This is the kind of money that can get the attention of a different level of player.

This new money could also be used to go after some of the domestic up and comers in US soccer. International teams have already gone after guys like Clint Dempsey and Jo

zy Altidore. This could be a way for Sporting KC to get engaged in going after those players and keeping them in the states.

Of course, there is always the potential of just using the money to retain their own players. Sporting KC has a very talented roster and a deep farm system. It costs money to keep that kind of unit together. Perhaps this is just how SKC plans on doing that.

No matter how you view this trade though, it’s all a matter of waiting to see. It’s a move that is subject to both praise and criticism, without anybody being inherently wrong about their take.

Sporting KC has put together a quality 2017 campaign so far. This is a team that looks to be in the mix for a number of honors this year. However, there is still a ways to go, and SKC is not without weaknesses. Hopefully this trade doesn’t make them vulnerable in a way they can’t overcome.