KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City is set to play Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday night at Lumen Field, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast live on FS1, FOX Deportes, MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, and Sports Radio 810 WHB.

The game comes as Sporting navigates a challenging part of their schedule, facing several teams currently above the playoff line. Seattle enters the match after advancing to the Leagues Cup 2025 semifinals with a penalty shootout win over Puebla.

In their last meeting on July 12 at Children’s Mercy Park, Seattle built a 3-0 halftime lead through goals from Jordan Morris, Alber Rusnak, and Jesus Ferreira. Sporting responded in the second half with penalties from Dejan Joveljic and Santi Munoz. The two teams have played each other 30 times in MLS regular season since 2009, with Seattle holding a slight edge (14-12-4). However, Sporting has won four of its last six away matches against Seattle since 2019.

The teams split their head-to-head series in 2024; Sporting won at home while Seattle took victory at Lumen Field. There have been no draws between these clubs in their last 13 meetings; the most recent tie was in April 2018.

Several players are approaching milestones. “Forward Dejan Joveljic is one shy of 100 goals scored in his professional club career,” according to the club. Additionally, “Defender Andrew Brody is one shy of his 100th career start in the MLS regular season.” Midfielder Memo Rodriguez and Manu Garcia are also nearing significant appearance and assist marks respectively.

Sporting's current record stands at 6-14-6 (24 points), ranking them 13th in the Western Conference. Their away record is 3-8-2 this season. The team has struggled recently, going winless in its last five league matches.

Despite recent results, some players have stood out statistically. Dejan Joveljic leads Sporting with 14 goals this season and ranks second among Kansas City newcomers for most goals in a single campaign—only Preki had more during his inaugural year with the club. Goalkeeper John Pulskamp ranks second in MLS for saves and is notable for being the first goalkeeper in club history to record multiple assists in a single season.

Seattle sits fourth in the West with an 11-7-8 record (41 points) and has been strong at home this year outside of FIFA Club World Cup play. Forward Danny Musovski and midfielder Albert Rusnak share the team lead with ten goals each this season. Rusnak also leads Seattle with seven assists.

Sporting has used varied lineups throughout the season due to player rotation or injuries; they have fielded different starting elevens for all but one match so far this year.

The match will feature several young talents as well as established veterans nearing personal achievements: “Goalkeeper John Pulskamp is tied for sixth in club history with 15 regular season wins, one shy of passing Mike Ammann on the all-time charts.” Also noted by Sporting: “Forward Daniel Salloi has scored 66 career goals for Sporting in all competitions, fourth most in club history and one shy of tying both Dom Dwyer and Johnny Russell for second on the all-time chart.”

Both clubs look to improve their positions as they approach key moments late in the MLS regular season.