KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City will face Orlando City SC on Saturday in a cross-conference Major League Soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and marks Sporting’s final regular season meeting against an Eastern Conference opponent.

Fans can watch the match on Apple TV with an MLS Season Pass subscription, featuring commentary in both English and Spanish. Local radio broadcasts will be available on 810 AM and 103.7 FM, and official watch parties are set for Meat Mitch Barbecue in Leawood, Kansas, and The Soccer Lot in Kansas City, Missouri.

This encounter renews a series that is currently even after eight meetings; each club has three wins along with two draws. In their most recent contest last August, Sporting Kansas City defeated Orlando 3-0 at Children’s Mercy Park with goals from Jake Davis, Daniel Salloi, and Remi Walter.

Sporting comes into the match following a 2-0 loss to San Diego FC. That game saw the debut of centerback Alan Montes, who joined Sporting KC on loan after making over 100 appearances for LIGA MX teams Necaxa and Monterrey.

Currently eight points below the playoff line with nine matches left in the season, Sporting faces an Orlando side that has moved up to fourth place in the Eastern Conference following three consecutive league victories. Last weekend, Orlando beat Inter Miami CF 4-1 behind goals from Martin Ojeda, Luis Muriel, and Marco Pašalić. This Designated Player trio has contributed a combined total of 41 goals across all competitions this year.

Orlando leads MLS in scoring this season. Martin Ojeda tops his team with 14 goals while also ranking second league-wide for assists (13) and total goal contributions (27). His streak of recording either a goal or assist now stands at eleven straight matches—the third longest such run in league history.

Orlando’s defense features World Cup veteran Pedro Gallese as goalkeeper and U.S. national team player Alex Freeman at right back. Recent additions include winger Tyrese Spicer via trade from Toronto FC and outside back Adrián Marín from Braga.

Head coach Oscar Pareja will have to manage several absences due to injuries and suspension: Wilder Cartagena and Yutaro Tsukada are out for the season; Cesar Araujo is suspended because of caution accumulation; Duncan McGuire remains sidelined since May with a shoulder injury; Joran Gerbet has not played since June due to a thigh injury.

The match precedes Orlando’s upcoming Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Toluca next week in southern California.