ATLANTA GEORGIA—Veteran Major League Soccer striker Dom Dwyer is currently training with Atlanta United FC in hope of getting signed by the team to part of its roster for the MLS 2022 season.
Sources said the 31-year-old forward has 81 career MLS goals to his name but has struggled to find his top form over the past two seasons.
Dwyer hasn’t scored a league goal since September of 2019.
If signed, Dwyer could add be a valuable reliever for veteran striker Josef Martinez.
United FC is in dire need of reliable players as the team is also exerting efforts to get the services of Luca Martínez Dupuy from the Argentine Primera Division side Rosario Central.
According to reports, United FC is reportedly offering a one-year loan with a purchase option for Dupuy.
The chance to sign Dupuy is reportedly high since the young Mexican-Argentine wants to come to the U.S. and the offer of United FC is nice.
If by chance the team signs Dupuy, he will add depth behind Josef Martinez, which is something the team has truly struggled with over the past few years.
In the 2021 season, Dupuy has 24 appearances with 5 goals and 1 assist.
Dupuy also had appearances for the U-21 Mexican National Team where he scored 2 goals in 2 friendlies.
Earlier, United FC head coach Gonzalo Pineda said he hopes to integrate Thiago Almada into the system of the team at the soonest possible time.
“I think whenever Thiago is ready to go,” Pineda said.
“Obviously, we’re going to integrate him progressively also on the fitness side because we have to make sure that he’s healthy and fit for the rest of the season. So no rush, honestly. But at the same time, we are excited to see him on the field and connecting with the fans and all that. So, as soon as possible is my answer,” Pineda added.
Pineda said Almada is a dynamic playmaker with an attacking mindset.
“He’s very good at arriving inside the box, so we think that we’re going to have a lot more presence inside the box with him,” he said.
United FC earlier signed Almada to a contract through 2025.
On its official website, United FC revealed Almada will be a Designated Player and occupy an international roster spot pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
“After an extensive and in-depth due diligence process, we have exercised our exclusive option to permanently transfer in Thiago,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said.
“He’s a player we’ve been tracking for a long time and he’s shown that he’s one of the best young players in South America over the past few seasons. We feel that his abilities fit well with the kind of attacking soccer that we want to play at Atlanta United and we’re confident that he will be able to play at a high level in Major League Soccer,” Bocanegra added.
