 Dorman playing for St Mirren | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1982-05-01)1 May 1982 (age 42) | ||
| Place of birth | Chester, England | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2003 | Boston University Terriers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2007 | New England Revolution | 112 | (17) |
| 2008–2010 | St Mirren | 88 | (19) |
| 2010–2012 | Crystal Palace | 21 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | →Bristol Rovers (loan) | 25 | (2) |
| 2013–2015 | New England Revolution | 46 | (1) |
| 2016–2018 | FC Boston | 22 | (2) |
| International career | |||
| 2010–2011 | Wales | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Andrew Dorman (born 1 May 1982) is a former professionalfootballer. During his club career, he played as amidfielder forNew England Revolution,Crystal Palace andSt. Mirren. Born in England, represented theWales national team.
Born in England of English parents, he grew up in Wales and represented the Wales schools team, eventually gaining full senior international recognition when FIFA amended its rules on eligibility. He has played professionally in the United States, Scotland, and England.
Dorman moved to the United States to attendBoston University, where he was a standout for the school'scollege soccer team.
After graduating, Dorman was drafted 58th overall in the2004 MLS SuperDraft by theNew England Revolution on 16 January 2004.[1] He succeeded in making the team's 2004developmental roster, signing as a "Transitional International/Developmental Player" on 13 April 2004.[1] Dorman made his debut for New England, coming on forDaouda Kanté, in a 3–1 loss againstSan Jose Earthquakes on 17 April 2004.[2] In his first season with the Revs, Dorman clocked only 365 minutes, but scored two goals and an assist in that time,[2] evincing an attacking flair. Dorman scored his first Revolution goal on 11 August 2004 in a 3-0 win overFC Dallas. He also recorded his first professional assist in the match, setting upTaylor Twellman in the 86th minute.[3] Dorman appeared in all three of the Revolution's2004 MLS Cup Playoff matches, and provided a game-winning assist on 31 October in the Eastern Conference Semifinal against theColumbus Crew.[3]
In2005, Dorman made 30 appearances, and came on as a substitute inMLS Cup 2005 on 11 November.[3]
The2006 season was a break-out year for Dorman,[4] as he played in all 32 games for the Revs (starting all 32), scoring six goals and recording a career-high ten assists.[3] Soccer America named Dorman the third-best attacking midfielder in MLS for 2006.[5] During a season when many Revolution players missed time due to injury, suspension, or international duty, Dorman was forced to play many roles and positions.[4] His diligence and creativity on the attack gained the attention and respect of many around the league, and he was named the 2006 "Man of the Year" by the Midnight Riders, the Revolution's independent supporters group.[6] In the2006 MLS Cup Playoffs, Dorman started all four of the Revs' games, providing an assist on Taylor Twellman's goal against Chicago in the second game of the Eastern Conference Semifinal.[3]
In2007, Dorman made 30 appearances for the Revs, scoring a career-high seven goals and notching two assists.[3] On 23 June, Dorman had his first-ever multi-goal game, recording a brace againstToronto FC.[3] He made his 100th MLS career appearance on 2 August against theKansas City Wizards.[3] On 3 October, Dorman played the entirety of the2007 U.S. Open Cup final, helping the Revolution win their first-ever championship.[3]
Although Dorman wanted to re-sign withNew England in MLS, contract negotiations fell through.[7]
Dorman signed withScottish Premier LeagueoutfitSt Mirren.[5] Upon joining St Mirren, teammateJay Heaps said Dorman was "world class."[8] One year on, Dorman revealed upon signing for St Mirren, he did not know the location of the club (Paisley).[9] He made his debut during a home league match againstMotherwell on 19 January 2008, and provided an early assist in a 3–1 victory. Dorman then scored a winning goal in aScottish Cup replay againstDundee United and he also scored against them in a 1–1 draw one month later.
His performances forSt Mirren during 2008–09 led to many teams watching Dorman with a view to bringing him into their side. Teams known to be interested includedSheffield United andBolton Wanderers. Dorman's contract with St Mirren included a club option of an extra year, which was exercised in March 2009[10] after he was votedScottish Premier League player of the month for February 2009[11] and another player of the month for April 2009.[12] Dorman spoke out about his transfer speculation, stating that he doesn't pay attention to the rumours[13] and insists he's happy at St Mirren,[14] while managerGus MacPherson said he would only let Dorman leave for £1 million.[15] Dorman finished the season as St Mirren's joint top scorer (withBilly Mehmet) with 12 goals each.
However, the following season, Dorman couldn't re-produce his form of the previous campaign and was unable to rediscover his goalscoring form; but still, other clubs were tracking him; like Championship sideWatford.[16] Shortly after the transfer headlines, Dorman suffered a hamstring injury, ruling him out for six weeks after coming off in the first half in a 3–1 loss againstCeltic.[17] In the next meeting against Celtic on 24 March 2010, Dorman scored a brace in a 4–0 win.[18] After the match, MacPherson praised the players, including Dorman, himself.[19] In mid April, Dorman scored three goals in the three games, including againstFalkirk,St Johnstone andKilmarnock. Dorman finished the season as St Mirren's league top scorer, withBilly Mehmet with 12 goals each in all appearances. At the end of the season, Dorman announced his intention to leave St Mirren, ending a two-year association with the club,[20] with Championship sidePortsmouth keen to sign him.[21]
After his contract at St Mirren expired, Dorman made the move to England to joinChampionship sideCrystal Palace.[22] On the opening day of the season, Dorman made his debut in a 3–2 win overLeicester City; two-months later, Dorman scored his first goal in a 4–3 loss againstPreston.[23] However, he made a slow start to life with the Eagles and soon dropped out of the Palace first-team after the sacking ofGeorge Burley, although Burley's successorDougie Freedman said out of favour players Dorman andOwen Garvan did have a future.[24]
On 31 August 2012, Dorman's contract was terminated by mutual consent, despite it being expected to end the next season.[25]
His second season in south London saw him limited to appearances for Palace's reserve team, and so Dorman made the move toLeague Two sideBristol Rovers on a loan deal in November 2011.[26] He made his debut for Rovers on 12 November in the FA Cup 3–1 win againstCorby Town; Seven days later, Dorman made his league debut for the club in a 2–0 loss againstBarnet. Dorman had initially signed until 2 January, which was extended by a further month.[27] On 27 January 2012, he signed for the rest of the season, along with four other players.[28] On 25 February 2012, Dorman scored his first goal in a 1–0 win overRotherham United[29] After scoring his first goal, Dorman spoke out about his frustration at wanting to get playing time after having his career revived at Bristol Rovers.[30] Dorman also said he had experienced playing under three different managers during his loan spell, but saw the positive side of this.[31] Towards the end of the season, Dorman scored his second goal in a 5–1 win overAccrington Stanley. After his loan spell at Bristol Rovers, Dorman did not rule out returning to the club after clarifying his future withCrystal Palace.[32]
Dorman re-signed withNew England Revolution on 15 November 2012, playing for his former teammate Jay Heaps.[33][34] He made 12 appearances (3 starts) during the2013 New England Revolution season, recording an assist in the Revolution's 3-2 victory over theColumbus Crew on 19 October, and helping the Revolution return to the playoffs for the first time since2009.[2] Dorman received two straight red cards during the 2013 campaign,[35] on 10 August against Sporting Kansas City, and on 5 October against the Red Bulls,[36]
He started both of the Revolution's playoff matches againstSporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, scoring in the 55th minute of the first match to give the Revolution a 1-0 lead.[2][37]
Dorman managed to make 16 appearances in the2014 New England Revolution season despite being sidelined with an MCL injury on 15 July which kept him out of the team until 12 September.[38] He recorded one assist in the Revolution's 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union on 28 June.[2] He also made 3 appearances in the Revolution's 2014playoff run, which ultimately culminated in a loss to the LA Galaxy in the2014 MLS Cup Final.[39][2]
In2015, Dorman made 18 appearances for the Revolution.[2] He scored the Revolution's only goal in a 4-1 loss to theNew York Red Bulls on 11 July.[40] The goal was Dorman's first for the Revolution in regular-season play since 14 July2007.[40] Dorman's contract expired at the end of the 2015 season, and he joined the coaching staff of theBoston Bolts.[41][42]
Although he was born in England of English parents, Dorman grew up in Wales, and represented the Welsh schools team.[43] He expressed interest in either playing forEngland,Wales or gaining American citizenship and playing for theUnited States, having lived there for over seven years. Dorman had moved to America to attendBoston University, where he was named a two-time All-New England player.
Although Dorman considers himself to be Welsh, he was not eligible to play for Wales as he was born in England and none of his parents or grandparents were born in Wales. In October 2009, however,FIFA ratified changes which allow players with 5 years compulsory education in a country before the age of 16 to represent that country, which made Dorman eligible to represent Wales. Dorman was included in the squad to play againstScotland on 14 November 2009 when, ironically, he was playing his club football for Scottish teamSt Mirren. Wales won 3–0, but he stayed on the bench for the whole game. Dorman made his debut for theWales national football team on 23 May 2010 against Croatia at theStadion Gradski.[44]
Dorman has said his idol isMichael Owen. He attendedHawarden High School where Owen and the lateGary Speed also attended.[45]
His brother is fellow playerRichie Dorman.[46]
Dorman holds aUS green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[47]
