KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City II defender Anthony Samways has been awarded the MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchweek 26 for his stoppage-time goal against Real Monarchs. The 22-year-old scored in the 94th minute, breaking a 1-1 tie and securing a win for his team.

Samways' goal was selected as the best of the week through a poll on X, surpassing efforts from Carolina Core's Facundo Canete, Whitecaps FC 2's Cyprian Kachwele, and Crew 2's Nico Rincon.

The decisive moment came after Real Monarchs equalized just three minutes following SKC II’s initial lead. Samways struck a bouncing ball off an SKC II corner back into traffic and into the net. His goal proved to be the game-winner as play resumed only briefly before the final whistle.

An alumnus of Ohio State University, Samways has started in 14 out of his 21 appearances this season, totaling 1,432 minutes in his first professional year. He recorded his first professional assist on August 31 against Rapids 2, six days prior to scoring his first goal for Sporting Kansas City II.

SKC II is scheduled to play North Texas SC at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas this week. The match will be streamed live on MLSNEXTPro.com with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. CT.

"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."

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