Sporting Kansas City secured a 4-2 win against the Colorado Rapids at Children’s Mercy Park on August 31, 2025. The home team featured a new lineup in a 4-3-2-1 formation, with John Pulskamp in goal and Dejan Joveljić leading the attack.
The match began with Sporting Kansas City pressing early. In the fourth minute, Khiry Shelton sent in a cross that Joveljić headed into the net for his 100th career goal. Despite continued pressure from Sporting, Colorado responded when Zorhan Bassong committed a foul in the penalty area in the 17th minute. Rafael Navarro took the penalty, but Pulskamp saved both the initial shot and the rebound.
Navarro recovered quickly from his missed penalty and scored five minutes later with an assist from Cole Bassett. Keegan Rosenberry then added another goal for Colorado nine minutes after that, giving them a temporary lead.
Sporting came close to equalizing before halftime, with Shapi Suleymanov creating several chances but unable to find the back of the net.
In the second half, Sporting Kansas City intensified their efforts to level the score. Bassong nearly scored in the 55th minute, and Santiago Muñoz had another opportunity shortly after. Persistent attacking paid off when Daniel Salloi equalized in the 73rd minute following an assist from Jansen Miller.
Two minutes later, Mason Toye gave Sporting KC the lead after receiving a long pass from Muñoz and converting it into a goal. Six minutes after that, Joveljić completed his brace with help from Jacob Bartlett.
Sporting maintained control through stoppage time and secured all three points at home as fans applauded at the final whistle.
