Sporting Kansas City II defender Anthony Samways and his clutch, stoppage-time winner against Real Monarchs last Saturday is nominated for MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchweek 26.
The 22-year-old's first professional goal is up against goals from Carolina Core's Facundo Canete, Whitecaps FC 2's Cyprian Kachwele and Crew 2's Nico Rincon in a poll on X that will be up for the next 24 hours.
Samways' sweet strike came in the 94th minute with the score even at one apiece against Real Monarchs on Saturday. Blaine Mabie had opened the scoring 12 minutes earlier before the visitors leveled the score in the 85th minute. After the Monarchs failed to fully clear an SKC II corner, Shane Donovan sent a ball back into the mix, which was headed only as far as Samways at the top of the box. The Ohio State alumnus snapped a shot into traffic off a half-volley and found the back of the net to lift SKC II above Real Monarchs with one of the final kicks of the contest.
A rookie from Loveland, Ohio, Samways has started 14 of 21 appearances, logging 1432 minutes in his first professional season. The outside back notched his first pro assist on Sunday, Aug. 31, against Rapids 2, six days before scoring his first SKC II goal.
SKC II and Samways will be on the road this week when they face North Texas SC at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The match will stream live on MLSNEXTPro.com and is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. CT.
