In a sport where players often bounce between teams and cities, Daniel Salloi’s story is a rare one. From the Academy to the Captain’s armband on the first team, Daniel built his career thousands of miles away from his home country and his family but despite the distance he was never really far from their support.
After Daniel’s standout performance on April 19 against San Jose, the 28-year-old striker joked to media he would be receiving a text from dad after narrowly scoring a hat trick. “I know that there's a text from my dad,” Daniel laughed. “For sure, my inbox, just pissed at me for not finishing that chance.” But his father’s text did not lead with that.
“But the first one wasn't about my completing the hat trick,” Daniel laughed. “He was congratulating me, actually. But he was laughing that I said that.”
That text exchange showed a glimpse into the dedication and support from Daniel’s family. The striker knew that while the game kicked off at 9:30 p.m. CT, his family was waking up 4:30 a.m. in Hungary to cheer him on. This blend of praise and critical encouragement has been a cornerstone of Daniel’s development.
“Yes, 100% that he always tries to support. But at the same time, he and my mom, want me to be the best version of myself. So, they know a couple tips go a long way.” That dynamic of support and tough love has shaped him from his youth soccer days through his professional career. “Yes, always. And, you know, my dad always, like, sends me clips of, what I should have done in certain situations. Sends me examples of other players doing it. So, it's been, very helpful in my career.”
Yet, growing up away from home brought its own challenges and some unexpected strengths. “I think it helped a lot,” Daniel reflected. “Obviously, I had to move away and try to become a professional in a sense early on, where I had to take care of myself, I had to judge my games honestly, I had to work on myself without having someone holding my hand, and, you know, it's it turned out to be great.”
While moving across the world away from family was a tough decision, after time Kansas City became more than a team for Daniel; it became his second home. Part of that came from Sporting’s Residential Program where host families welcome out-of-town players into their homes where they provide a safe and supportive environment so players can focus on their success.
His host family provided a crucial foundation and a support system a little closer to him. Over time, Kansas City wasn't just where he played, it was where he belonged. “Just people, just over the ten years, it becomes home, you know,” Daniel shared. “And there's a lot of people around me at this point and it definitely feels like home and there's a lot of support.”
Now, Daniel finds himself in a new position: a leader, a captain for the club he grew up in. It's a role he always dreamed about but never took for granted. “I mean, you only hope for these things,” Daniel said. “These are just certain things that you dream as a kid at any club, that you'll get to that level. And the fact that it is here at, at this club where I have so many amazing memories and being here my whole career really is. It's just special, you know.”
For Daniel stepping into this role has brought him to reflect on club leaders before him. Admitting that this new role is a work-in-progress. “I've had great role models before me: Matt Besler, Roger Espinoza, [Graham] Zusi, Johnny Russell, like, these guys were all just, like, unbelievable leaders. And I'm just, you know, trying to work my way into this.”
With this new role, comes the question: What kind of leader am I? “I'm almost like, trying to figure it out as we go,” Daniel shared. “I think it takes a while to really know it. Sometimes you need somebody to lift you up, and then all of a sudden you are in that position where the team relies on you in a way. And it's hard.”
But even leaders on the team need a support system. “I still talk to, my good friends who just freshly retired or like left the team and they've been in these positions and it's nice to just talk certain situations through getting to pick their brain.” Leadership at Sporting KC is a team effort. “There are other leaders on the team, and we definitely try to talk and lead together in a way.”
Reflecting on his journey, Daniel’s pride stems from much more than trophies or accolades. “The most proud of, I would say is, like obviously like very proud of all the wins, the records broken and, just looking back how many things I've accomplished, like being coming from the academy.”
But the real accomplishment lies deeper. “Overall, just like having the ups and downs, just remaining like the same person in a way, like a good person and like people being able to rely on me in good and bad times. I think that's crucial and, that's what gives you the length of your career, you know, at a certain club.”
And now, as Daniel wears the captain’s armband for the club that raised him, it's clear: his journey is not just about where he came from it’s about who he’s become.