Lying on the kitchen table of Dom Dwyer’s Kansas City home is a life-changing piece of paperwork.
The application to become a US citizen has already been scrutinized by the lawyers. When the calendar reaches 14 February 2017, Dwyer can approach the final hurdles towards possessing a passport for his adopted second home.
Presuming Dwyer’s bid is rubber-stamped and he receives the necessary Fifa clearance, a subsequent USA call-up appears increasingly likely. The Englishman has already held talks with US Soccer over the possibility of representing Bruce Arena’s side.
“It’s a dream of any footballer to play on the international stage,” said Dwyer.
“Five years ago, no-one here know who I was. This year, I know if I play well and work hard, then things will take care of themselves. There’s a fantastic squad there. If I get selected, then I’d be honoured.”
It would be somewhat bizarre if Dwyer was not in Arena’s thinking, as an alternative option to Jozy Altidore, or a strike partner for the free-scoring centre-forward. Despite injury troubles in 2016, the Sporting Kansas frontman has averaged almost a goal every other game during his four seasons for the MLS outfit.
But could Dwyer begin a trend of UK-born players representing the US? The flood of teenage footballers across the Atlantic into the American college system makes it a feasible possibility.
There’s similar precedents on the international stage. Jack Charlton scoured the family trees of English footballers for Irish heritage in the 1980s and 90s when he was at the Republic of Ireland helm.
Jürgen Klinsmann adopted a policy on a smaller scale during his USA tenure, although it has drawn criticism from the likes of Tim Howard and Landon Donovan.
Howard said this week: “Jürgen Klinsmann had a project to unearth talent around the world that had American roots. But having American roots doesn’t mean you are passionate about playing for that country.”
By admission, Dwyer dreamed of pulling on an England jersey in his youth after growing up in leafy Norfolk, yet he also realises the debt of gratitude he owes to America.
As an adolescent, he was told that he would never play professionally after a series of debilitating foot injuries during his time at Norwich City’s academy.
But after spells in non-league, he was spotted by US talent scouts and earned a scholarship at Tyler Junior College, in Texas, before graduating to the University of Florida.
He was drafted by Sporting KC, scored goals for fun during a loan spell at Orlando City in the USL, and became one of the most lethal marksmen in MLS.
Dwyer has held a green card for five years, has just had a son with World Cup winner Sydney Leroux and is far better known in the US than in his country of birth. He is as close to American-made as an Englishman could be.
“I’ve been here nine years now. It’s like my second home, if not my home,” said the 26-year-old.
“This country has given a lot to me. If I could give something back, that’s something I would love.”
Predictably, Dwyer encourages teenagers stagnating in the academy system of English football to follow in his footsteps if a US college scholarship becomes a possibility.
It’s an avenue that Premier League clubs are increasingly in favour of, too. Many of the top English academies are growing contacts with American colleges to find new opportunities for those players who haven’t yet made the grade in the professional game.
Other hopefuls are proactively heading to the US at an even younger age; ex-Manchester United trainee Jack Harrison moving to a Massachusetts boarding school at 14 before eventually becoming one of New York City FC’s hottest prospects last season.
Harrison has already said that he would be open to playing for USA, although with the 20-year-old yet to even receive a green card, it’s a hypothetical discussion for the distant future.
The midfielder was even reluctant to publicly speak about a possible England Under-21 call-up this week, when asked if it had been on the agenda during the close season.
“I was just focused on staying healthy and taking the time to get some rest; working on rehab and getting stronger,” Harrison said.
Inevitably, the American loyalty of these players would be tested if they were to receive an opportunity to return home to a Premier League club. But that’s not necessarily an act which would affect their commitment to the USA jersey.
While the likes of Altidore, Howard and Michael Bradley have all returned to the MLS over recent years, there is, understandably, still a desire among American-based players to test themselves in Europe.
Dwyer’s goal return has seen him repeatedly linked with a return to Europe after Greek club Olympiakos made an unsuccessful offer last summer, but would that make a tangible difference to his case for a USA call-up?
“When I was growing up, I always dreamed of playing in the Premier League. That was it for me,” he said.
“It wasn’t really my plan to come to the US, but I’m really enjoying myself. I don’t know what the future holds. I love playing at Kansas City. I have aspirations to do big things, whether that’s Europe or elsewhere. If an opportunity arises, then who knows.”
However, the pull of playing in Europe is perhaps not quite as strong as it was a year or two ago, due to the growth of the MLS. There is an attraction to continue playing in a competition that is moving away from its former perception as a ‘retirement league’.
“It’s very exciting for young guys coming across now, guys like Jack Harrison,” he added. “MLS was maybe seen as a joke five to 10 years ago, but now it’s getting respect with the players and names coming in.”
Equally, if Dwyer does go on to represent the US, there will be no joking. He gives the unequivocal impression that he would make a proud American.
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