Sporting KC Signs Forward Taylor Calheira from FC Tulsa

23-year-old striker joins MLS club on two-and-a-half-year deal

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Sporting Kansas City has acquired 23-year-old forward Taylor Calheira from USL Championship side FC Tulsa. Calheira, who has a proven track record of goalscoring, joins Sporting KC on a two-and-a-half-year MLS contract with club options for two additional seasons.

Why it matters

The addition of Calheira bolsters Sporting KC's attacking options as they look to strengthen their offensive capabilities for the 2026 MLS season. Calheira's prolific form in the USL Championship suggests he could make an immediate impact for the club.

The details

Sporting KC acquired Calheira in a trade with Minnesota United, sending $50,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money (GAM) for Calheira's Discovery Priority. An additional $25,000 in GAM will be transferred to Minnesota if Calheira meets certain performance-based incentives. Calheira arrives in Kansas City after scoring 38 goals and providing 10 assists in 69 appearances across stints with FC Tulsa and NYCFC II.

  • Calheira's two-and-a-half-year contract with Sporting KC extends through the 2027-2028 season, with club options for the following two seasons.
  • Sporting KC will kick off their 2026 MLS season with an away match against the San Jose Earthquakes on February 21st, followed by their home opener against the Columbus Crew on February 28th.

The players

Taylor Calheira

A 23-year-old forward who joins Sporting KC from USL Championship side FC Tulsa, where he scored 21 goals and provided 4 assists in all competitions in 2025, earning a spot on the USL Championship All-League First Team.

David Lee

President of Soccer Operations & General Manager of Sporting Kansas City.

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What they’re saying

“Taylor has an impressive goalscoring record at every level he has played from college to MLS NEXT Pro to the USL Championship. Taylor has consistently shown high levels of performance as he stepped up to a higher level of competition each of the last three seasons and he is now eager to prove himself in MLS. He will provide good instincts around the goal to go along with his clean technical ability and an excellent work rate.”

— David Lee, President of Soccer Operations & General Manager of Sporting Kansas City (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

Sporting Kansas City will kick off their 2026 MLS season with an away match against the San Jose Earthquakes on February 21st, followed by their home opener against the Columbus Crew on February 28th.

The takeaway

Sporting KC's acquisition of the prolific goal-scorer Taylor Calheira from FC Tulsa demonstrates the club's commitment to strengthening its offensive capabilities as they prepare for the 2026 MLS season.