Dom Dwyer getting everything in order to pave his way to play for USA

The Sporting Kansas City star is edging closer to becoming eligible for the U.S. national team, which the England-born striker is looking forward to.

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Plenty has happened to Dom Dwyer in the almost five years since he received his green card. Among other things, the England-born striker began his professional career with Sporting Kansas City, won an MLS Cup with that same team, met his future wife, U.S. national team star Sydney Leroux, and most recently welcomed the birth of his son, Cassius.

The actual date Dwyer received his green card hadn't carried very much significance until now, because the fifth anniversary of that date will move him a step closer to potentially realizing his dream of playing international soccer.

"On Feb. 14 it marks five years of me having my green card, so I will be eligible for citizenship on that date, and then paperwork is sitting on the side waiting to be sent on that day — and then we'll see how quickly the process goes from there," Dwyer said Tuesday, laying out the timeline for his potential securing of American citizenship.

The possibility to play for the U.S. national team is still some ways away. Feb. 14 is the date he can apply for citizenship, but the process for Dwyer actually being granted citizenship could leave him waiting beyond 2017. Despite that potential wait, Dwyer is already facing questions about playing for the Americans, in part because he has let it be known he wants to represent the U.S.

"Almost every interview I've done today I've been asked the question (about the U.S. national team), so I'm starting to think about it a little bit more today," Dwyer said.

"I think it's a dream of any footballer to play on the international stage, so to be in that conversation, for me, is an absolute honor, whereas if I'd been sitting here five years ago nobody here would really know who I was. That's a big, big honor for me. Really, I'm focusing on this season, and playing well, and I know if I play well and work hard then things will take care of themselves usually."