In a thrilling display of skill and leadership, Daniel Salloi, forward for Sporting Kansas City, has been crowned the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra for Matchday 9 in the 2025 season. The announcement was made recently by MLS officials. Known as one of the longest-serving players for his team, Salloi delivered an exceptional performance with two goals and two assists during a 5-3 away victory against San Jose. This standout effort places him among the elite performers this season and highlights his significant contributions to Sporting Kansas City over the years.
Salloi’s impressive outing included a career-high four goal involvements, tying the single-game record for any MLS player this year. With this achievement, he now boasts an impressive tally of 109 career goal contributions (64 goals and 45 assists) across all competitions, ranking fourth in club history. Following the game, Salloi expressed pride in his team's cohesive play but maintained a hunger for more victories. "The team is clicking better each match, and I’m excited to keep contributing," he remarked post-game.
Notably, Salloi becomes only the third player in Sporting KC history to achieve multiple goals and assists in a regular-season road match, marking nearly a year since another MLS player accomplished such a feat. Additionally, he joins an exclusive group of six SKC players who have recorded four goal contributions in a single regular-season match, alongside legends like Mark Chung and Preki.
A product of the Sporting KC Academy and former MLS All-Star, Salloi stands out as one of just four MLS players with six or more goal contributions over the past five seasons. His legacy extends further as he ranks fifth among Homegrown Players for most goals scored in MLS history. Leading his team on Saturday as captain, Salloi moved up to eighth place on the club's all-time regular-season appearances list with 218 games played.
This latest accolade marks Salloi’s second MLS Player of the Matchday honor, having previously won in 2021. He is also the first Sporting KC player to earn this recognition since Johnny Russell in 2023. Selected through a combination of media and fan voting, Salloi earned acclaim from both journalists and Instagram users alike.
Daniel Salloi continues to redefine what it means to be a leader and a prolific contributor in Major League Soccer. Through his dedication and excellence, he not only secured a memorable victory for his team but also cemented his status as one of the league's premier talents. Fans eagerly anticipate how much further he can take Sporting Kansas City in this competitive season ahead.