LAFC at Sporting Kansas City
Saturday, June 17 at 5:30pm PT
Location: Children's Mercy Park - Kansas City, Kansas
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
LAFC suffered its second straight loss in MLS play Wednesday, falling 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo at BMO Stadium. The Black & Gold look to break their three-game winless streak in league play when they travel to Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park on Saturday, June 17.
The clubs square off for the 11th time in their history, and LAFC is undefeated in the last four matchups between the teams. LAFC played Kansas City to a 1-1 draw on May 17 at BMO Stadium.
Despite being winless in their last three MLS matches, the Black & Gold (26 points) remain three points under the Western Conference leaders St. Louis City SC, who have 29 points through 18 matches played.
Sporting Kansas City is coming off a big home victory, beating Austin FC 4-1 on Saturday, June 10 and are undefeated in their last four home games.
One of the most dominant teams in MLS since 2018, the Black & Gold sit on the precipice of history yet again, entering Saturday’s match vs. Sporting Kansas City with 299 total points and the chance to become the quickest team in MLS history to reach 300 total points. With a win or a tie, LAFC would reach the milestone in just 174 total matches.
Team | Points | Games | Record (W-L-T) |
LAFC | 299 | 173 | 86-46-41 |
Seattle Sounders | 301 | 178 | 85-47-46 |
Chicago Fire | 301 | 179 | 96-60-23 |
Galaxy | 300 | 181 | 103-65-13 |
NYCFC | 301 | 191 | 85-60-46 |
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KANSAS CITY IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Peter Vermes, who’s been in charge since 2009, SKC is starting to gain momentum after a slow start to 2023. Kansas City was winless through their first 10 matches, but have turned it around to go 5-1-2 in their last eight matches.
SKC currently sit in 9th place in the Western Conference Standings with 20 points through 18 matches played.
The club is led by captain Johnny Russell, who scored the game tying goal against LAFC at BMO Stadium back in May.
After missing 2022 with a knee injury, forward and Designated Player Alan Pulido has scored four goals and registered three assists through 13 matches played.
SKC is expected to be without starters Tim Melia (quad), Graham Zusi (hamstring) and Willy Agada (tibia stress fracture), while Johnny Russell is questionable with a hamstring injury.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can get big performances from young players and players rotating into the lineup who will take advantage of their moment. The Black & Gold have failed to score in their last four matches across all competitions but have scored 10 combined goals against SKC in their last four clashes. LAFC will need to take advantage of early opportunities in front of goal to keep the home crowd out of the game.
KANSAS CITY CAN WIN IF
They can continue to play with the confidence they have shown in the last eight matches. The club has won four-straight games at home, and will look to take advantage of an LAFC team that is struggling with injuries and rotated lineups.
