Sporting Kansas City winger Marinos Tzionis joined up with the Cyprus Men's National Team for four UEFA Nations League Matches from June 2-12, earning two starts, four caps and adding an assist in their final match at Northern Ireland.
Tzionis earned his spot on the team after scoring his first senior international goal on March 29 to spark a 2-0 win over Estonia as the Cypriots avoided relegation. The 20-year-old has now earned 18 caps at the senior level.
In Cyprus' first group stage match, Tzionis earned a start up top against Kosovo. The forward had an attempt from outside the box blocked before being subbed off in the 71st minute of a 2-0 loss. In the second match, Cyprus and Northern Ireland went the distance without finding the back of the net. Tzionis came on in the 56th and nearly found the would-be winner seven minutes later, firing a shot on target from inside the box that was saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
On Thursday, June 9, Tzionis earned his third cap of the campaign, coming on in the 64th minute in a match against fellow Mediterranean side Greece. The Greeks took the match 3-0.
With one match to go in this FIFA Match Window, Tzionis earned his fourth consecutive cap, and second Nations League start. The Cypriots found the back of the net on either side of halftime, scoring their first in the 32nd. In the 51st, Tzionis received a through-ball in the box from Demetris Christofi, gained space with a brilliant first touch and sent the ball towards the goal. Andronikos Kakoulis slotted the ball into the empty net for his second goal, giving Tzionis an assist. Cyprus would draw 2-2 with Northern Ireland, earning their first result of the competition.
After wrapping up the first four matches of the UEFA Nations League, Tzions will reunite with Sporting Kansas City and resume his first MLS season. The winger has scored two goals this season, including the equalizer in Sporting's come-from-behind win in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.
