Sporting Kansas City’s Daniel Salloi emerging as a top forward in MLS

Sporting Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi celebrates after the match against Austin FC. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sporting Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi celebrates after the match against Austin FC. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sporting Kansas City’s Daniel Salloi may not have been the biggest name to come into MLS when he signed in 2016, but it is hard not to see his growing impact in the league.

Salloi scored in the 71st minute on Saturday in Sporting Kansas City’s 1-1 home tie with Austin FC. The 24-year old Hungarian forward is now on four goals and two assists through nine games (seven starts) to start this season.

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His goal came on a rebound from a Gianluca Busio shot from distance, Salloi coolly finishing from 15 yards out with a one-timed effort off his right foot.

“We find ourselves in great positions, and we must have the most chances in the league because it’s ridiculous. We should score five goals every game but props to Austin,” Salloi said after the match.

“I think they have a great defense and they did really well and they’re a tough team to break down. If we were a little bit luckier, then we could have won the game. I think we can’t be sad about this point. It’s a tough game, tough conditions, hot. It’s very difficult. I’m just happy that we found a way to tie it.”

It was a disappointing draw for Sporting Kansas City, with the home side registering 60 percent possession and a clear edge in shots (32:9) and shots on goal (11:2).

Now, Salloi might be on track to claim the promise he showed several years ago.

2018 was Daniel Salloi’s third season in MLS and looked like his coming out party, with 11 goals and seven assists in 29 appearances. But two down years where form and injuries took him out of his stride leading to just a goal and an assist in over 1,700 minutes played during that stretch.

But now fit, Salloi is finding his form. A Hungarian youth international, he is emerging as one of the top young strikers in the league.

“I think he was from the start of preseason because we talked so much about that. It’s a new season so what do you have to fall back on, right? You’re starting new so there is nothing you need to think about. For him, he started off very well. He came in with the right mentality,” Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes said following Saturday’s draw.

“I say it all the time, it’s not the goals. It’s the other work that he does that then creates the chances for you. You make your own luck and that’s what he’s doing. It wasn’t like he dribbled six guys and served the ball into the far post. It was a play where again he finds himself in a really good position but he’s ready for it.”

With Saturday’s draw against Austin FC, Sporting Kansas City is 5-2-2 on the season.

Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer