League

Beyond the Box Score: Dom Dwyer's dominance of Montreal makes history

Death. Taxes.


And Dom Dwyer scoring against the Montreal Impact.


Sporting Kansas City’s English striker continued his dominance of the Canadian side on Saturday, bagging a brace in a highly entertaining 2-2 draw north of the border. Dwyer now has a remarkable nine goals in his last five MLS appearances versus Montreal, including six in three games at Stade Saputo.


So that begs the question: where does Dwyer’s five-game reign over the Impact stack up against similar performances in MLS history? Below is a chart of the most goals scored by a single player over a five-game span against the same opponent. 


As the table shows, Dwyer entered rare company on Saturday, becoming just the third player in MLS history to score nine goals over a five-game span against a single foe. Tampa Bay Mutiny forward Mamadou Diallo hit nine past LA Galaxy in four games from July 2000 to June 2002. Dwyer then replicated a feat versus Montreal that was first accomplished by his long-time soccer idol, Thierry Henry. The legendary Frenchman netted nine goals in five meetings with Montreal between March 2012 and August 2014.


Only four other players in MLS history have scored at least eight goals against the same team over a five-game span. Raul Diaz Arce is the only player to do it twice, while MLS Best XI members Landon Donovan, Taylor Twellman and Clint Mathis also managed the trick.


MOST GOALS IN FIVE-GAME SPAN VS. SAME OPPONENT
(ALL-TIME MLS REGUAR SEASON)

<strong>Player (club)</strong>
<strong>Opponent</strong>
<strong>Goals</strong>
<strong>Dates</strong>
Mamadou Diallo (TB)
LA Galaxy
9 in 4 games
July 2000 - June 2002
<strong><em>Dom Dwyer (SKC)</em></strong>
<strong><em>Montreal Impact</em></strong>
<strong><em>9 in 5 games</em></strong>
<strong><em>April 2014 - June 2016</em></strong>
Thierry Henry (NY)
Montreal Impact
9 in 5 games
March 2012 - August 2014
Raul Diaz Arce (DC)
Colorado Rapids
8 in 5 games
June 1996 - August 1997
Raul Diaz Arce (DC/NE)
FC Dallas
8 in 5 games
July 1996 - June 1998
Landon Donovan (LA)
D.C. United
8 in 5 games
September 2008 - September 2010
Taylor Twellman (NE)
D.C. United
8 in 5 games
June 2002 - July 2003
Clint Mathis (LA/NY)
FC Dallas
8 in 4 games
April 2000 - April 2001

In addition to making league history, Dwyer also continued his ascension on Sporting Kansas City’s all-time goal charts. The 25-year-old now ranks second with 53 goals across all competitions and 44 goals in regular season play.


SPORTING KC ALL-TIME GOAL LEADERS

<strong>Player</strong>
<strong>Goals<br> (all comps)</strong>
<strong>Goals<br> (reg season)</strong>
<strong>Years with club</strong>
Preki
81
71
1996-2000, 2002-2005
<strong><em>Dom Dwyer</em></strong>
<strong><em>53</em></strong>
<strong><em>44</em></strong>
<strong><em>2012 - present</em></strong>
Davy Arnaud
52
43
2002-2011
Josh Wolff
46
43
2003-2006, 2008-2010
Chris Klein
43
39
1998-2005

Another player who gained ground in the Sporting Kansas City record books on Saturday? Midfielder Benny Feilhaber notched an assist for the third straight game (including U.S. Open Cup) and now has 41 helpers across all competitions, fourth most in club history. He has sole possession of fifth place on the regular season ledger with 29 assists.


SPORTING KC ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADERS

<strong>Player</strong>
<strong>Assists<br> (all comps)</strong>
<strong>Assists<br> (reg season)</strong>
<strong>Years with club</strong>
Preki
104
98
1996-2000, 2002-2005
Graham Zusi
59
47
2009 - present
Chris Klein
54
45
1998-2005
Benny Feilhaber
41
29
2013 - present
Davy Arnaud
40
35
2002-2011