Santiago Munoz heads to MLS: The 22-year-old forward joins Sporting Kansas City on loan from Santos Laguna, with purchase option

Santiago Muñoz is heading to MLS with hopes of jump-starting his professional career. After appearing in just 12 matches during the Clausura 2025 - where Santos Laguna endured the worst season in club history, earning only seven points and finishing in last place - the 22-year-old forward will join Sporting Kansas City on loan with a purchase option, the team announced Tuesday.

Muñoz joins Sporting KC shortly after the club and longtime manager Peter Vermes mutually parted ways. Kerry Zavagnin has since stepped in as interim head coach. Through nine matchdays in the 2025 season, Sporting KC currently sit 13th in the Western Conference and are hoping to make a push for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

Their leading scorers are forwards Dejan Joveljić and Dániel Sallói, who have combined for nine goals. With Santos Laguna, Muñoz played a total of 81 matches, including 73 in Liga MX, but scored just six goals.

The Texas-born striker will be making his MLS debut with a club that has previously featured notable Mexican players such as Omar Bravo and Alan Pulido. The 22-year-old forward moved to Newcastle in 2022 but returned to Santos Laguna after an underwhelming stint in England.

Back in Liga MX, he also struggled for playing time under Argentine coach Fernando Ortiz, though it's worth noting that Santos had a historically poor season, finishing at the bottom of the table.

Muñoz was recently called up to Mexico’s senior national team by Javier Aguirre for friendly matches in January against River Plate and Internacional de Porto Alegre. However, since he has not yet made an official appearance with the senior team. He holds dual nationality, and remains eligible to represent the USMNT. Notably, he was part of Mexico’s squad at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and has previously represented El Tri at the U17, U21, and U23 levels.

Muñoz will join a group of 10 Mexican players who have played for Sporting Kansas City, MLS champions in the 2000 and 2013 seasons. The last Mexican to wear the club’s colors was Alan Pulido, who played for Sporting KC from 2020 to 2025, scoring 38 goals in 108 appearances.

This Saturday, Sporting KC will visit FC Cincinnati as they look to turn things around in the Western Conference. So far, they’ve collected just seven points from two wins, one draw, and six losses.