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Salloi Poised for Potential MLS Breakout

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/01/17, 8:59AM EST

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Stint overseas after competing for Swope Park widened SKC forward’s horizons


Photo courtesy Nick Tre. Smith / Swope Park Rangers

A little more than a year after signing as a Homegrown Player with Sporting Kansas City, forward Daniel Salloi’s path has taken some detours, but as the new Major League Soccer season arrives he appears to have reached the destination he was aiming for all along.

“He’s definitely a player that’s going to find some time this year,” Sporting Kansas City Head Coach Peter Vermes told MLSSoccer.com’s Kyle Kepner of the young striker, “based on the fact that he’s got some really good qualities that fit into our team.”

A native of Hungary, Salloi’s first stop was a loan stint with the Swope Park Rangers, where he scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the club’s inaugural contest last season against the Portland Timbers 2. His potential shone through as he notched four goals and three assists in the club’s first 10 games alongside some of the Rangers’ other attacking standouts like USL 20 Under 20 selection Kevin Oliveira and Mark Anthony Gonzalez.


Photo courtesy Chris Ortiz / Swope Park Rangers

Then, however, came a detour. Offered the opportunity for top-flight soccer in his home country, Salloi jumped at the chance. He spent the rest of the year on loan with Gyirmot SE, where despite an early injury after his arrival he notched another pair of goals – both game-winners – in 13 appearances for the club.

“I thought that could help me more, to play in the Hungarian first division,” Salloi told Kepner, “and now [Vermes] wanted me to come back.”

The path overseas for young talents isn’t a new one. Current Toronto FC striker Jordan Hamilton followed a similar path, going on loan with Portuguese club C.D. Trofense after scoring six goals in 13 appearances in the USL for Wilmington Hammerheads FC in 2014. One of SKC’s other top young players, U.S. U20 National Team captain Erik Palmer-Brown, did the same, going on loan with FC Porto B last year.

Now, after notching a goal and two assists in the Desert Diamond Cup this preseason, Salloi appears poised to see action with the players he’s learned from coming through Sporting’s ranks.

“These are national team guys,” Salloi told Kepner. “Benny [Feilhaber], [Graham] Zusi, [Matt] Besler. I can learn — not just how they play, because obviously they’re so good with the ball — but the mentality, how they’re very professional.”

After marking his professional debut with the Rangers with a goal, it certainly wouldn’t come as a surprise if Salloi repeats the feat when he takes to the field for SKC for the first time. 

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