Sporting Kansas City signed 24-year-old forward Soony Saad in January 2017. Saad, a Lebanese international who previously played for Sporting Kansas City from 2011-2014, signed a two-year contract through 2018 with an option for 2019.
Saad rejoins Sporting Kansas City from Pattaya United of Thailand’s first division, where he scored nine goals across 28 Thai League appearances in 2016. He has also recorded three goals for the Lebanon Men’s National Team since making his senior international debut in 2013.
2017: MLS regular season: Started six of 12 appearances (453 minutes played) and recorded one assist. Made his season debut in a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on March 18. Assisted Gerso's late goal in a 3-0 win over Real Salt Lake on April 29. Open Cup: Did not feature. MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature.
2015-2016: Thai outfit BEC Tero Sasana signed Saad ahead of the 2015 season and loaned him to Pattaya United in 2016.
2014: MLS regular season: Played in 22 matches, nine of them starts, with three goals and an assist. Started his first match and scored his first goal (the game-winner) in a 2-0 victory at Houston on June 6. Scored a Goal of the Week nominee and assisted C.J. Sapong's goal in a 4-1 win over Toronto FC on Aug. 16. MLS Playoffs: Did not feature. CCL: Started one of two total appearances (132 minutes) in the 2014-15 group stage. Open Cup: Played 80 minutes and scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 fourth round win over Minnesota United FC on June 18. Played 90 minutes and scored a penalty kick goal in a 3-1 fifth round loss to Portland on June 24. Scored a goal in a 3-1 loss at the New England Revolution on Sept. 3. Friendly: Played 45 minutes in a 4-1 Champions Shield defeat to Manchester City on July 23 at Sporting Park.
2013: MLS: Had a breakthrough year with a career high in games played (23) and games started (15). Tallied a career-best four goals and four assists. He notched his first assist of the season, first game-winning assist, and second career assist in a 1-0 win over D.C. United on April 5. Scored two goals against Toronto FC on July 13 (video). Followed that up with a goal in a dramatic 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on July 20 (video). Tallied two assists in a dominant 3-0 win over the New England Revolution on August 10. Scored the team's second goal in a 3-0 win over the Columbus Crew on September 7 (video). Playoffs: Came off the bench in both Eastern Conference Championship matches vs. the New England Revolution. CCL: Started three 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League group stage matches. Scored two goals in a 2-0 win at Olimpia on August 27. Open Cup: Did not feature.
2012: Saad played in nine games and made two starts for Sporting Kansas City during the 2012 regular season, earning an assist in a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium. Saad scored two goals in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round to propell Sporting Kansas City past Orlando City SC by a scoreline of 3-2. Saad also appeared in the fourth round and played 90 minutes in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament. Saad started in both international friendlies for Sporting Kansas City, playing 180 minutes combined against Montpellier Herault SC and Stoke City FC. Saad is tied with Bunbury and Dwyer for most goals scored by a Sporting Kansas City player during the 2012 MLS Reserve League season with two.
2011: Signed by Major League Soccer and allocated via lottery draft to Sporting Kansas City on July 5. Made his debut with Sporting Kansas City on July 20, during a friendly with Newcastle United. Scored nine minutes into his MLS debut during a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers on August 17, marking his 19th birthday. Saad scored again in an international friendly against CD Guadalajara on October 12..
NATIONAL TEAM: Actively involved with the United States youth national team system, most recently being invited as one of two collegiate players to join the U.S. Under-20 camp in December, where he scored the match-winner in an international friendly against Canada. Saad has been selected to join the Lebanon Men's National Team after becoming eligible in May 2013. Saad is the first player in MLS history to be selected to play with the Lebanese National Team and will be participating in a friendly vs. Oman on May 29th in Qatar.
COLLEGE: Attended the University of Michigan, where he led the NCAA in scoring and set a Michigan single-season record with 19 goals, while also adding five assists in 2010. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned spots on the All-Big Ten First Team, NSCAA All-Great Lakes First Team and NSCAA All-American Second Team, after helping lead the Wolverines to their first NCAA College Cup appearance.
YOUTH: The 2009-2010 National Gatorade Player of the Year at Dearborn High School. In his senior season at Dearborn, Saad set a single-season state high school record for goals in a season with 76. A first team All-American selection by ESPN RISE and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American honoree in 2009, Saad was the 2008 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Player of the Year. He was also named the Michigan Soccer Coaches Association’s “Mr. Soccer." Saad completed his high school career with a state-record 172 goals and 51 assists.
PERSONAL: Livepool FC fan. Favorite player is Zinedine Zidane. Takes a nap at noon and eats pasta before every game. Favorite memory is scoring on his birthday in his Sporting Kansas City debut. Favorite saying is "You'll never walk alone." Has two pictures of himself with Pierce Brosnan- the first photo with Pierce Brosnan was taken without Saad's knowledge.
