MONTREAL – There's something about facing the Montreal Impact that really brings out the best in Sporting KC striker Dom Dwyer.
Dwyer scored twice for Kansas City in a 2-2 draw against the Impact at Saputo Stadium on Saturday night. He has scored in five straight games against Montreal, a run that includes four braces.
But he was more interested in talking about the team's performance than his individual success.
"I think we played well today," Dwyer said. "I think we defended unbelievably. I mean, [Didier] Drogba is world class and that first goal they scored was incredible. We're not disappointed in that, but I think we defended really, really well. We worked side to side, the back four were incredible, it was a good team performance today."
His nine goals are the most of any MLS player against Montreal, two more than Thierry Henry of the New York Red Bulls scored against the Impact.
"I think it's more coincidental," Dwyer said. "I'm here for a reason and that's to score goals. That's why I'm at this club. That's what I do as a player, so I think I did my job tonight. Not quite enough to get us three points, but I think we're pleased with that performance today and there's a lot to build on."
Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes was at a loss to explain Dwyer's success against Montreal, but he welcomed his timely tallies.
"I actually think that right now he's been due," Vermes said. "He's been working hard. He's a little unlucky. I think he has nine goals right now [eight, in fact] but he's due for a little run here so hopefully it's starting here with today."
Both of Dwyer's goals drew Sporting KC even. His wonderfully-timed header inside the right post in the 21st minute tied it at 1-1 five minutes after Lucas Ontivero gave Montreal an early lead.
Montreal's Ignacio Piatti made it 2-1 when he scored on a penalty kick in the 39th minute, but Dwyer tied it again early in the second half when he scored his second of the game, his eighth goal to extend his team lead, in the 59th minute.
"You know, I think I've got quite a lot of criticism this year from my production," Dwyer said. "I think if you check, I think I'm ahead of where I was at last year at this point so I think we need to work on certain things as a team and you know the results are going to start falling our way."
