Since Belgium eliminated the United States last week, the buzz has revolved around how much soccer popularity in this country can be sustained between now and the next World Cup in 2018. Despite significant growth, it is a critical time period for American soccer as MLS is still fighting for popularity, and it does not help when sports personalities like Keith Olbermann question whether the league is even active.
Well, Keith, it is active right now and Sporting Kansas City's Dom Dwyer has a message for you: Soccer can be very exciting and modern.
On Sunday, during ESPN's MLS Game of The Week between Kansas City and the Chicago Fire, Dwyer made a quick standing tackle and found himself on a break. In the 33rd minute, he ripped a shot to put Sporting KC up 1-0. And did this:
Yes, that is Dwyer taking a selfie with the Sporting Park supporters. The 23-year-old English forward, who played college soccer at South Florida, was subsequently given a yellow card.
But Sporting KC, the 2013 MLS Cup champions, tweeted out the memento:
Let me take a selfie. #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/Uy0p6Ep21u
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) July 6, 2014
Graham Zusi, who appeared in all four U.S. World Cup matches, makes a cameo in the video. The 27-year-old midfielder made his Sporting KC return as a sub in the 62nd minute. Matt Besler, who also played in all four U.S. World Cup matches, also plays for Sporting KC but was not in uniform Sunday.
As for the result, Chicago's Mike Magee scored in the 40th minute to knot the match at one. After 90 minutes, the match finished in a 1-1 draw.
Dwyer is tied for second in MLS with 12 goals.
Well, we have come a long way from the flip phone:
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
