Daniel Salloi signed with Sporting KC as a Homegrown Player in early 2016 and made his Sporting KC debut on April 9, 2017. After enjoying a breakout campaign in 2018 where he tallied 16 goals and seven assists in all competitions, Salloi rebounded from a few difficult years to be named an MLS All-Star and an MLS MVP finalist in 2021 after recording 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, tying the club record for most non-penalty goals in a single MLS regular season.
Salloi, who signed a new four-year contract in late 2022 that will keep him in Kansas City through 2026, enjoyed another productive year in 2023 by leading the team with 22 goal contributions (10 goals, 12 assists) and requested to don the coveted #10 jersey number heading into the 2024 season. Salloi scored on his first start for the club - a 4-0 win over Minnesota United in the U.S. Open Cup on June 14, 2017 - and added his first MLS goal vs. Portland on July 1, 2017 before scoring the winning goal in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup Final against the Red Bulls.
Salloi moved to the U.S. in 2014 as an AFS exchange student and attended Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas, joining the SKC Academy. Salloi briefly returned to his former Hungarian Academy side Ujpest FC in July 2015 where he made his pro debut on July 18, 2015 before returning to Kansas City in 2016. He split the 2016 season on loan with SKC II and Gyirmot SE in Hungary before joining the Sporting KC first team full-time in 2017.
Salloi has four caps for the senior Hungary National Team, having made his debut in a World Cup Qualifier against England on Sept. 2, 2021. He previously played for the Hungary Under-21 National Team.
PROFESSIONAL
2023: Made 42 appearances across all competitions, tallying 10 goals and 12 assists. MLS Regular Season: Started 33 of 34 appearances and was one of just two players to appear in all 34 regular season matches alongside Erik Thommy. Tallied seven goals and nine assists on the season. Scored the club's first goal of the season in the 2-1 loss at Dallas on March 18 before recording an assist 2-1 setback at New England on April 22. Tallied an assist in the 2-1 win at Seattle on May 7 before recording and goal and an assist a week later against Minnesota on May 13. Scored the game-winner in back-to-back matches against the Portland Timbers (May 28) and FC Dallas (May 31) before tallying another assist in the 2-2 draw at the LA Galaxy on June 21. Had either a goal or an assist in five straight games from July 12 through Sept. 9, including goals against Real Salt Lake (July 12), San Jose (Aug. 26) and Inter Miami CF (Sept. 9). Recorded three more assists through the remainder of the regular season, including a pair of assists in the club's 3-1 Decision Day victory over Minnesota on Oct. 21. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started all four matches and played all 360 minutes, tallying two goals and two assists - recording one goal and one assist in each of the club's two victories over St. Louis in Round One, including the game-winner in the pivotal Game 2. Open Cup: Started one of two appearances, tallying the game-winning goal and an assist in the 3-0 win over Tulsa Athletic in the Third Round on April 25. Leagues Cup: Made two substitute appearances, logging 61 minutes.
2022: Led the team in assists with five and ranked second in goals scored at seven en route to being named the club's Offensive Player of the Year. MLS Regular Season: Started 28 of 29 appearances, scored seven goals and gathered five assists (2533 minutes played). Scored the first goal of Sporting's 2022 campaign against Atlanta United on Feb. 27. Assisted Remi Walter's second goal of the season on April 9 against Nashville SC. Netted the equalizer in a 2-2 match against FC Dallas on April 30. Bagged a brace in a 2-1 win on May 18 over the Colorado Rapids. Had a career day against the LA Galaxy on Aug. 6, scoring once and picking up two assists in a 4-2 win. Tallied the lone goal in a 1-0 win over San Jose on Aug. 27. Scored the third and final goal in a 3-0 win over D.C. United on Aug. 13. Picked up back-to-back assists down the stretch, assisting Willy Agada in a 4-1 win vs. Minnesota United and in a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. Open Cup: Started three of four matches, scoring twice (343 minutes played). Scored twice in a 6-0 Quarterfinals victory over Union Omaha on June 22.
2021: Was named a Landon Donovan MLS MVP finalist, honored as Sporting's Most Valuable Player and was selected for the 2021 MLS All-Star Game. MLS Regular Season: Started 26 of 30 appearances, scored 16 goals and picked up eight assists (2453 minutes played). Scored the match winner of a 2-1 win at the New York Red Bulls in the first match of the season on April 17. Assisted Gianluca Busio's first goal of the season on April 23. Scored the first of three goals on May 16 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. A week later on May 22, scored once and assisted on an Alan Pulido goal in a 3-1 sinking of the San Jose Earthquakes. Leveled a match with Austin FC at 1-1 on June 12. Secured his first of two multigoal matches on June 23 while also assisting the final goal of a 3-1 win vs. the Colorado Rapids. Scored the match-winner against LAFC in the 87th minute on June 26. Scored a second half stoppage time equalizer against the San Jose Earthquakes and found the back of the net against the Seattle Sounders four days after that. Picked up an assist against FC Dallas on July 31, setting up Johnny Russell. Scored in three straight matches on Aug. 4, 14 and 18 against LAFC, FC Dallas and the Portland Timbers while also having assists against LAFC and FC Dallas in that span. Contributed a goal in a 4-0 blowout of Minnesota United on Sept. 15. Bagged his second brace at FC Dallas on Sept. 29, leading Sporting to a 3-1 triumph. Scored once and assisted once on Oct. 3 to propel Sporting past the Houston Dynamo 4-2. Assisted Johnny Russell's score at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Oct. 17. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started two matches, assisting two goals (180 minutes played). Assisted the first and third goal in a 3-1 defeat of the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup First Round. MLS All-Star Game: Came on at halftime for the MLS All-Stars against the LIGA MX All-Stars and converted the second penalty for the MLS side in a shootout victory. Leagues Cup: Started Sporting's Leagues Cup fixture against Leon on Aug. 10.
2020: MLS regular season: Started one of seven appearances (165 minutes played). MLS is Back Tournament: Started one of four appearances (81 minutes played). MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature.
2019: Was named the Neal and Jeanne Patterson Humanitarian of the Year alongside Ilie Sanchez for his philanthropic impact on the Kansas City community. MLS regular season: Started 16 of 28 appearances, recording one goal and one assist (1,541 minutes played). Assisted Benny Feilhaber's brilliant goal in a 2-1 loss at the Portland Timbers on Sept. 7. Scored a goal in a 2-2 draw against the Portland Timbers on Sept. 29. Concacaf Champions League: Started two of five appearances (152 minutes played). Featured in both wins over Deportivo Toluca FC in the Round of 16, making his tournament debut for Sporting in a 3-0 first-leg win on Feb. 21 at Children's Mercy Park. Featured in both games of a 4-2 aggregate win over Independiente in the Quarterfinals. Open Cup: Started and played 90 minutes in a Fourth Round loss to Minnesota.
2018: Won Sporting KC's Golden Boot award as the club's top scorer with 11 league goals and 16 strikes in all competitions. MLS Regular Season: Started 26 of 29 appearances, recording 11 goals and seven assists (2,291 minutes played). Assisted Johnny Russell's goal and Felipe Gutierrez's game-winning strike in a thrilling 4-3 victory at the Chicago Fire on March 10. Assisted Felipe Gutierrez's game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on March 17. Scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory at the LA Galaxy on April 8. Assisted Jimmy Medranda's stunning strike in a historic 6-0 hammering of Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 20. Scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on May 5. Bagged the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United FC on May 9. Scored a sensational goal in a 4-1 win over Minnesota United FC on June 3. Recorded a goal and two assists to lead an epic 3-2 comeback victory over the Houston Dynamo on June 23, slotting home in the 59th minute before assisting Diego Rubio's 85th-minute equalizer and Khiry Shelton's 88th-minute winner. Scored his sixth goal of the season in a 4-2 loss at Real Salt Lake on July 4. Scored a 97th-minute goal in a 3-2 loss to FC Dallas on July 28. Assisted Diego Rubio's second goal in a 3-0 win over Portland on Aug. 18. Scored two late goals in a 4-1 comeback victory at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Oct. 17. Scored the game-winner in a 3-0 victory over FC Dallas on Oct. 21 to hit 10 league goals on the season. Scored a late goal in a 2-1 win over LAFC on Oct. 28, becoming the first Sporting KC player in club history to bag a game-winner in three straight MLS matches. Open Cup: Played 15 minutes as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 fourth-round win over Real Salt Lake on June 6. Started and played 85 minutes in a 3-2 victory over FC Dallas in the Round of 16 on June 16, scoring goals in both halves for his first career Sporting KC brace. Started and played 90 minutes in a 4-2 quarterfinal loss at the Houston Dynamo on July 18. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started four matches and scored three goals (328 minutes played). Started and played 83 minutes in a 1-1 conference semifinal first leg draw at Real Salt Lake on Nov. 4. Started and played 90 minutes in a 4-2 conference semifinal second-leg win over Real Salt Lake on Nov. 11, becoming the first Homegrown Player in MLS history to score twice in a playoff match. Started and played 90 minutes in a 0-0 conference championship first-leg draw at Portland on Nov. 25. Started and played 65 minutes in a 3-2 conference championship second-leg loss to Portland on Nov. 29, scoring the opening goal in the first half.
2017: MLS Regular Season: Started 12 of 22 appearances, recording three goals and two assists (1172 minutes played). Made his Sporting KC debut as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids on April 9. Scored his first career MLS goal on July 1 against Portland Timbers. Assisted on Diego Rubio's goal against Philadelphia Union on July 6. Scored a superb solo goal and tallied an assist in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire on July 29. Scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy on Sept. 24. Open Cup: Earned his first career start for the club with a 90-minute performance in a 4-0 fourth-round win over Minnesota United FC on June 14, scoring his first Sporting KC goal in the 83rd minute. Played 35 minutes as a second-half substitute against FC Dallas on July 11, scoring the final goal of the game. Played 43 minutes as a second-half substitute in a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over the San Jose Earthquakes following a 1-1 draw through regulation and extra time on Aug. 9, converting his penalty in the shootout. Played 47 minutes as a first-half substitute in a 2-1 Open Cup Final victory over the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 20, scoring the game-winning goal in the 66th minute for his third tally of the tournament. MLS Cup Playoffs: Played 69 minutes as a first-half substitute in a 1-0 extra-time loss at the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Knockout Round on Oct. 26.
2016: MLS Regular Season: Did not feature. Was on the bench for the first time in his MLS career in a 1-0 win at Seattle Sounders FC on March 6. Open Cup: Did not feature. Swope Park Rangers: Scored four goals and three assists in 10 USL appearances between March and June. Loan to Hungary: Salloi spent the last six months of 2016 on loan in his native Hungary with Gyirmot SE.
Ujpest FC (2015-2016):
After a successful spell with the Sporting KC U-18s, Salloi returned to Hungary in July 2015 to sign an amateur contract for Ujpest FC’s senior team, a 20-time champion in Hungary’s first division. He made his professional debut in the top-tier OTP Bank Liga on July 18, the day before his 19th birthday.
Salloi scored his first professional goal in just his second appearance, netting the game-winner in a 3-1 victory over Vasas Budapest on July 25. He scored four goals in a 14-1 win over Vertessomloi KSK in the Hungarian Cup First Round on Aug. 12 and added two goals and two assists in the Round of 16 as Ujpest FC defeated Zalaegerszeg 5-0 on Oct. 28. The forward ended his stay at Ujpest FC with seven goals and four assists in 16 matches across all competitions.
Sporting KC Academy (2014-2015):
A native of Budapest, Hungary, Salloi moved to the United States in August 2014 as an AFS exchange student and attended Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas. He joined the Sporting Kansas City Academy U-18s for the 2014-15 season and scored a team-high 21 goals in 28 appearances, including three hat-tricks in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
Salloi and the Sporting KC U-18s — coached by former Hungarian international Istvan Urbanyi — finished 2014-15 with a 14-8-5 regular season mark, the club’s best-ever record in the USSDA. The U-18s were 11-1-2 when Salloi scored and went on a 12-game unbeaten run from January to May to secure a berth in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. Salloi had 15 goals during the second half of the season and tallied a hat-trick in his final U-18 appearance.
INTERNATIONAL
Salloi has four caps for the Hungarian Senior National team after making his debut on Sept. 2, 2021, in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against England. He has tallied one goal and two assists in four appearances for the Hungary U-21 Men's National Team, with all appearances coming in 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers. After debuting in a 2-2 draw against Sweden on Nov. 10, 2017, Salloi notched a goal and an assist to pace a 2-0 win over Cyprus on Nov. 14. The following spring, he assisted a goal in a 4-0 win over Cyprus on March 22, 2018.
YOUTH
Prior to his arrival in Kansas City, Salloi played for Hungarian side Ujpest FC in Budapest at the U-16, U-17 and U-21 levels. He earned the club’s U-16 and U-17 academy player of the year honors and joined the Hungary U-18 Men’s National Team in 2013.
PERSONAL
The 22-year-old striker is the fourth generation of his family to play professional soccer. His father, Istvan Salloi, scored more than 130 goals during a 16-year career playing in Hungary and Israel. He also appeared 13 times for the Hungary Men’s National Team from 1992-1995.
