Sporting Kansas City began their 2026 Major League Soccer home campaign with a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew at Sporting Park on Saturday. Dejan Joveljic scored both goals for Sporting KC, matching a club record as the fastest player to reach 20 regular season goals, equaling Preki’s mark set in 1997.
Joveljic, who led the team with 18 goals last season, has now netted 20 times in just 34 regular season appearances. He is also credited with scoring Sporting KC’s last five goals since August 30, 2025.
Head coach Raphael Wicky made one change to his starting lineup from the previous week, bringing in Ethan Bartlow for the injured Justin Reynolds. Bartlow nearly opened the scoring midway through the first half but was denied by Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte after connecting with Manu Garcia’s corner.
Columbus took advantage of a turnover inside Sporting’s penalty area in the 33rd minute. Wessam Abou Ali found the net, extending his scoring streak to five consecutive MLS matches. Before halftime, Shapi Suleymanov almost equalized from a free kick, but Schulte made another save. The Crew came close to doubling their lead when Diego Rossi hit the post and Daniel Gazdag missed on the rebound.
In the second half, Sporting KC drew level quickly. In the 48th minute, Calvin Harris sent a cross to Jake Davis, who delivered a first-time pass to Joveljic eight yards from goal. Joveljic finished calmly for his first goal of 2026.
Joveljic struck again in the 72nd minute after collecting a deflected shot from Suleymanov and scoring his ninth multi-goal game in MLS regular season play and fourth for Sporting KC.
Columbus answered ten minutes later as Rossi scored off a Max Arfsten cross for his second goal of the season and his 81st career regular season goal.
Shortly after equalizing, Columbus was awarded a penalty following video review by VAR Kevin Stott. Abou Ali took the spot kick in the 87th minute but was stopped by John Pulskamp’s right hand as he dived full stretch to keep Sporting level.
“Seizing the momentum, Columbus would win a penalty from their next attack — albeit only after intervention from VAR Kevin Stott — and Abou Ali stepped to the spot in the 87th minute with a chance to steal all three points only to be denied by the right hand of Pulskamp at full extension to produce a clutch save that ultimately secured Sporting it’s first point of the season.”
Sporting Kansas City will play San Diego FC next Saturday at Sporting Park. Tickets are available through SeatGeek and fans can watch live coverage on Apple TV.
Attendance for Saturday’s match was announced at 18,522 under clear skies and temperatures of 51 degrees Fahrenheit.
The match featured yellow cards for Andres Herrera (Columbus), Jacob Bartlett (Sporting KC), and Sean Zawadzki (Columbus). Sergii Demianchuk served as referee.