Sporting Kansas City has recalled 20-year-old midfielder Danny Flores from MLS, the club announced today. Flores signed an MLS contract through the 2023 season with options for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
A former US junior national team player, Flores begins his professional career after a two-year stint in college at Virginia Tech. He was recognized as one of the top freshmen in the country in 2021 and led the Hokies in scoring as a sophomore last fall. Flores also boasts three seasons of USL Championship experience, representing Philadelphia Union II from 2019-2020 and Oakland Roots SC in 2021.
Flores recorded two goals and two assists in 32 USL Championship games over three seasons. In September 2019, he made his league debut for Union II, formerly Bethlehem Steel FC, and was a regular at the club the following year, playing in all 16 games and scoring his first goal in a wild 5–4 loss to New. York Red Bulls II 26 September 2020
A native of Half Moon Bay, California, Flores returned to his home state in 2021 when he moved cross-state to join Oakland Roots SC for the club’s inaugural USL Championship campaign. He made his debut for the Roots on 9 May 2021 and scored his first goal in Oakland two weeks later in a dramatic 3-2 win against LA Galaxy II. He started 10 of 12 games for a team that ended its first season with a playoff berth.
After a successful spell in Oakland, Flores began his college journey by returning to the East Coast and becoming an integral part of Virginia Tech’s midfield. He started all 19 games during his first season in Blacksburg, Va., leading the Hokies to an 11-5-4 record and an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Flores, who had a goal and three assists as a deep midfielder, was named the third freshman in country by Top Drawer Soccer and earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors.
Flores continued to lead the Hokies in 2022, scoring a team-best four and adding two assists. He finished his time at Virginia Tech with five goals, five assists and started in 31 of 33 career appearances.
As a youth, Flores was a member of the U-17 United States Men’s National Team, where he competed alongside Sporting KC Academy products Gianluca Busia and Tyler Freeman. Flores and Busio in particular helped the U.S. U-17s win the 2018 Sportchain Cup in Spain with a perfect 4-0-0 tournament record.
Flores played for two clubs at the Academy level, first for Shattuck St. Mary’s in Minnesota—where he was named to the Central Conference All-Star XI for the 2017-18 season. US Soccer Development Academy—and later for the Philadelphia Union. He spent two seasons in the Union youth ranks before his time with Oakland Roots SC.
For a complete list of Sporting’s offseason moves, visit SportingKC.com/news/tracker. The club will begin its 28th MLS campaign on February 25, visiting the Portland Timbers in the earliest start to the regular season in league history. Sporting’s home game at Children’s Mercy Park is scheduled for March 11 against the LA Galaxy.
Sporting Kansas City season tickets feature exclusive benefits, including an MLS Season Pass subscription on the Apple TV app and free tickets to away games, and are available by calling 888-4KC-GOAL or visiting SportingKC.com. Sporting also offers a variety of ticket packages and promotions including the Home Opener Pack and Captain’s Flex Pack. In addition, single-game tickets for Sporting’s first eight regular-season home games at Children’s Mercy Park in 2023 are now on sale through SeatGeek.
Transaction: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) waived midfielder Danny Flores, signing him to an MLS contract through 2023 with options for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Danny Flores
Position: Midfielder
Born: June 4, 2002. (20 years)
Height: 5-9
Weight: 154 lbs.
Hometown: Half Moon Bay, California.
Place of birth: Burlingame, California.
Nationality: USA
College: Virginia Tech
Instagram: @flores.danny18