Johnny Russell named Sporting Kansas City MVP, others honored during team’s award night

Sporting KC captain Johnny Russell took home the team’s MVP award for the 2022 season during Sporting KC’s team awards night at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

During the Friday night show at the club’s stadium, five awards were handed out following voting by Sporting KC players and their fans. Four other awards were bestowed by the club in various categories.

Russell has 10 goals and two assists in all competitions in 2022. Since signing with Sporting KC in the winter of 2018, he has scored 48 goals with 32 assists in Major League Soccer matches. That gives Russell 80 total goal contributions, third most among all MLS players during that span.

Russell was also a co-recipient of the Neal and Jeanne Patterson Humanitarians of the Year award, sharing the honor with teammate Khiry Shelton.

Russell has taken part in and played host to his share of community-building events, including his own Pro Player Camp on Sept. 5 — the day after playing a game in Los Angeles. Russell has also become involved with the club’s philanthropic Victory Project, welcoming game-day guests and honorees at the stadium as well at the team’s training facility during the week.

Shelton received his share of the award for the second time in his Sporting KC career (he was also thus honored in 2020). He works closely with Shadow Buddies, helping supply dolls for children receiving treatment at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Shelton also mentors a child through Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City and works with Black Players for Change, a coalition of MLS players addressing systemic racism while also seeking to attain equality in health and economics.

Winger Daniel Salloi took home Offensive Player of the Year honors. His 13-goal contributions in all competitions leads the team in 2022. Salloi, with seven goals so far this season, is just one goal behind Russell (8) for the club’s regular-season golden boot.

Tied with Salloi at seven goals this season is co-Newcomer of the Year Willy Agada. Agada and fellow summer arrival Erik Thommy shared the award. The two have combined for 10 goals and 13 goal contributions since their mutual debut on July 23.

Agada’s nine goal involvements rank third among all MLS summer signings behind the league’s big-name signings — Cucho Hernandez of Columbus and Federico Bernardeschi in Toronto.

Thommy has created 18 chances, most on the team since his arrival. Thommy’s addition to the midfield has helped link the Sporting possession from deep as he ranks in the 99th percentile in MLS for progressive passes received per match. He’s second in MLS since his arrival for successful dribble percentage (85.7).

Andreu Fontas was recognized as the team’s Defensive Player of the Year after leading Sporting KC in clearances (93), passes and touches.

Roger Espinoza’s long-range strike at Montreal, in a 2-1 Sporting KC victory on July 9, earned Goal of the Year.

In other awards, Jahon Rad was selected the Sporting KC II Player of the Year and Alex Umana was honored as Academy Player of the Year. Sporting Springfield is the Club Network Member of the Year.

Sporting KC returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 2, at home against the Seattle Sounders. It’s the final home match of the season for Sporting KC.