Marinos Tzionis signed with Sporting KC in a transfer from Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus in late January 2022. Tzionis scored 15 goals in 88 appearances for hometown club Omonia Nicosia since turning professional as a 15-year-old in 2017.
Tzionis scored his first goal for the club with a last-gasp equalizer in the 98th minute of the club’s U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 clash with FC Dallas on May 10, 2022 and scored his first MLS goal four days later in a loss at Portland.
Tzionis developed in Omonia Nicosia’s academy, signed for the first team in 2017 and made his senior debut for the club in May 2018. In a breakout 2020-21 campaign, Tzionis guided Omonia to the club’s first league title in 11 years by tallying seven goals in 43 games. He landed his UEFA Champions League debut in the qualifying rounds and started all six of Omonia’s games in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Tzionis represented Cyprus at the U-17 and U-19 youth levels, before breaking into the senior national team in September 2020. To date, Tzionis has two goals in 25 caps for the Cyprus National Team, scoring his first goal in a 2-0 win over Estonia on March 29, 2022.
PROFESSIONAL
2023: Made 24 appearances across all competitions, including eight starts, while tallying one goal and one assist. MLS Regular Season: Started six of 21 appearances, recording one assist. Tallied his lone assist on Erik Thommy's strike against the Portland Timbers on May 28 that won the club's Goal of the Year award. MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature. Open Cup: Started both matches and played all 180 minutes as Sporting was eliminated by Houston in the Round of 32. Scored the third and final goal of the 3-0 victory against Tulsa Athletic in the Third Round on April 25. Leagues Cup: Made one appearance, playing the final 19 minutes of the 4-1 loss to Toluca FC in the Round of 32.
2022: Signed with Sporting as a free agent on Jan. 24, 2022. MLS Regular Season: Started six of 27 appearances, scoring once (765 minutes played). Made his Sporting KC debut in the club's season opener on Feb. 27, coming on as a substitute late in the match. Earned his first start on March 12 at the Colorado Rapids. Opened his Major League scoring account on May 14 at the Portland Timbers. Open Cup: Started one of two appearances in the Open Cup, scoring once (148 minutes played). Played the full 120 minutes of the club's 4-2 extra time win over FC Dallas on May 10, scoring the equalizer in the 98th minute, his first Sporting KC goal. His second half stoppage time score is the latest regulation goal in club history.
Omonia Nicosia (2017-2021): Signed with the first team at the age of 15 after coming up through the Academy. He debuted in 2018, making just one appearance before breaking out a season later. On March 16, 2018 he scored his first professional goal in a 3-1 Omonia victory. Went on to make 11 appearances and net three goals in all competitions. A year later he made eight more appearances, grabbing two goals.
Had his break-out season, appearing in 43 matches, scoring seven goals and gathering two assists. Appeared in three UEFA Champions League qualifiers as well as six matches in the UEFA Europa League. Helped guide his team to their first league title in 11 seasons.
INTERNATIONAL
Represented Cyprus at the U-17 and U-19 youth levels. Featured in qualifying competitions for the 2018 Under-17 European Championship and the 2019 Under-19 European Championship. Broke into the senior national team in September 2020.
Earned five starts and six total appearances for Cyprus in the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League before starting four of six matches for the Cypriots in FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying. Scored his first senior national team goal in a UEFA Nations League Playout against Estonia on March 29, 2022, to help keep Cyprus in UEFA Nations League, League C. Appeared in six 2022-23 UEFA Nations League Group Stage matches, adding one goal and one assist.
YOUTH:
Tzionis developed in Omonia Nicosia’s academy and signed for the first team in 2017 at just 15 years old.
