Sporting Kansas City II defender Anthony Samways and his stoppage-time winner against Real Monarchs has taken home the title of MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchweek 26. The 22-year-old's half volley beat out three worthy adversaries in Carolina Core's Facundo Canete, Whitecaps FC 2's Cyprian Kachwele and Crew 2's Nico Rincon in a poll on X to win the honor.
Samways' clutch finish came in the 94th minute of Saturday's game against Real Monarchs with the score even at one apiece and kicks from the spot looming on the horizon. After the opposition leveled the score just three minutes after SKC II took the lead, Samways ripped a bouncing ball off an SKC II corner back into traffic and into the back of the net. The strike proved to be the game-winner as Real Monarchs could only restart play before the referee blew the full-time whistle.
An Ohio State University alumnus, Samways has started 14 of 21 appearances, logging 1432 minutes in his rookie 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.
