Sporting KC begins to see signs of progress under Interim Head Coach Kerry Zavagnin

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The tide may be turning for Sporting Kansas City. A once lifeless attack has scored nine goals in three games under interim head coach, Kerry Zavagnin.

“We seem to be clicking more and more,” said SKC forward Daniel Salloi.

After starting the season winless in its first eight matches, Sporting is playing with confidence again. The team scored five goals to beat San Jose on Saturday night – the team’s most goals in a road game since 2018.

“I think they learned their lessons. Sometimes, you have to learn the hard way,” said Zavagnin.

Sporting has two wins – including their first of the season – in three games under Zavagnin. While the team’s attack has improved greatly under their new head coach, the team has also given up seven goals.

“I think we are a work in progress with that,” Zavagnin said. “We want to get better defensively. We want to be more balanced”

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Daniel Salloi wore the captain’s armband against San Jose and recorded two goals and two assists. One of his goals came off the foot of goalkeeper John Pulskamp – who celebrated his 24th birthday by recording the team’s first goalie assist since 2005.

“I wanted to celebrate with him, but he... what is he doing? As a goalkeeper, if I’m giving an assist, I’m sprinting for sure up to the field,” Salloi joked with reporters after the win in San Jose. “He said he didn’t want to get tired, so I’m kind of disappointed in that.”

The victory was Sporting’s first road win since July 2024. The team hopes the dark days of losing are behind them.

“This team, over the past years to be honest, has had to fight against positions where we were beaten and we were down or just struggling as a club in general,” Salloi said. “I feel like we always try to stay in it and we always try to give our best and fight back.”

“We’re not perfect and we keep working,” Zavagnin said. “With the mentality the guys had, with the approach they had for the game, I know we’re going to get better.”

Sporting KC returns to action next Saturday at FC Cincinnati.

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