Sporting KC’s Santiago Muñoz scores first MLS goal

HOUSTON – Santiago Muñoz has appreciated the warm welcome he and his family have received from his Sporting Kansas City teammates, coaches and staff since arriving from Mexico last April 23.

The El Paso native has slowly been integrated into Sporting Kansas City’s lineup. Since arriving via loan he had started one game, played nine minutes off the bench in another and sat on the bench in three others before making the most of his 11 minutes off the bench Saturday night.

Muñoz scored his first MLS goal to solidify KC’s 3-1 victory over the Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium.

Santiago Muñoz was substituted into the match in the 79th minute for Dejan Joveljić, who scored KC’s first two goals. The 22-year-old Muñoz scored his first goal in the MLS with a right-foot shot to the bottom right corner.

“It was a unique moment,” Muñoz said. “My first goal with Kansas City, I couldn’t be happier. 

SANTI MAKES HIS STATEMENT

Watch #HOUvSKC on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV : https://t.co/5XqtY6csHK pic.twitter.com/Iz6poxi1HV

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) June 1, 2025

“This is for everyone that’s been there with me in the good times and the bad times. I am grateful for all my teammates and the coaches because without them, it would not be possible.”

Ending Houston’s hopes

Trailing 2-1, the Dynamo were pushing men forward into the attack while desperately trying to get back into the match.

Muñoz was brought in to capitalize, and he did.

“I think that was part of the intention of bringing Muñoz on, I think it was the 79th minute, to get someone that might be able to capitalize on all their numbers going forward,” said Sporting KC interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin. “That was the intention of the sub. Dejan was getting a little bit tired, but we felt like we needed one more if we could do that. 

“Fortunately for us, and great for Santiago, that he’s gotten his first goal with the club. It’s just a really great night for the team.”

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Muñoz was discovered at the 2017 Sueño Alianza. He stood out and was recruited by Santos Laguna’s academy at 16 years old. The standout made his professional debut for Santos Laguna in a Liga MX match against Atletico de San Luis. 

The Texas native honed his skills while playing on loan in England for Newcastle United’s U-21 team from 2021 to 2023. He also represented Mexico internationally in U-17, U-21, and U-23. The 5-foot-10, 141-pounder participated at the 2019 CONCACAF U-17 championship, where he scored five goals and El Tri came out victorious.

Santiago Muñoz hopes to learn

Muñoz is a dual Mexican-American citizen. He hopes that the skills he’s learned internationally will help elevate Sporting KC. 

“I think this league has similarities to England. This league is very dynamic,” Muñoz said. “I just want to help the team as much as I can. What I learned over there and try it here and learn since I’m still young.

“I want to learn from the great players that they have here and the great coaches that I have now. I want to learn so that I can grow and develop.” 

A few hours after the victory, Muñoz was sitting comfortably in his seat as the Sporting KC charter was set to depart. He was called up to the front of the plane and presented with the ball used for his first MLS.

“I am very happy that the goal came and that I could help the team, which is the most important thing,” he said. “I hope this is the first of many.”

^{Featured art courtesy of Sporting KC/X.}