Juice Boxes and Post Game Stats: Sporting Kick off 2025 Season

Sporting Kansas City kicked off the 2025 season on Wednesday night in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Inter Miami CF, losing 1-0 on a goal by Lionel Messi. Sporting’s roster turnover from 2024 to 2025 which saw the club part ways with five of the club’s top seven active leaders in appearances, starts, and minutes played. With the departures of Tim Melia, Johnny Russell, Andreu Fontas, Remi Walter, and Alan Pulido, that leaves just Daniel Salloi and Khiry Shelton on the team who are are among the active leaders for the club. So the stats from games this year may be a little different with fewer players closer to the top twenty in numerous stats. With that in mind here’s a look at the stats and milestones from Tuesday night’s opener.

The loss was only KC’s third in CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League play at home in fifteen games.

At 19 years, 135 days Jacob Bartlett became the 10th youngest player to appear in a game for Sporting KC across all competitions.

Bartlett became the 8th youngest player to start a game across all competitions for KC.

Daniel Salloi made his 193rd start in all competitions, breaking his tie with Johnny Russell for 12th all time on that list.

Salloi made his 12th international appearance for KC, tying him with Roger Espinoza, Nick Garcia, Matt McKeon, and Francisco Gomez for 5th all time on that list.

Tim Leibold made his 7th start in international competitions, tying him with Ilie Sanchez, Ike Opara, Francisco Gomez, and Remi Walter for 20th all time on that list.