Juice Boxes and Post Game Stats: Sporting Fall in Home Opener

Sporting KC dropped their MLS home opener on Saturday night at Children’s Mercy Park 2-1 against the visiting San Jose Earthquakes. Despite playing the final 38 minutes up a man, Sporting could not find the net to tie the game. Dejan Joveljic scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot. The first goal KC has scored from the spot since Johnny Russell scored against the Houston Dynamo from the spot in September of 2023.

Here are the stats and milestones from the game.

The announced attendance of 16,277 is the first (non-COVID) home opener to not sell out since 2007 when the team still played at Arrowhead.

For the first time since 2009, Sporting KC starts a season 0-2. It is the third time in club history that Sporting has started a season 0-2 joining the 1999 and 2009 seasons.

The win by San Jose was only their 2nd in their last 18 trips to Kansas City dating back to 2004. KC in now 15-2-1 in league play at home during that stretch, and 17-2-4 in all competitions.

Dejan Joveljic scored KC’s 100th goal in all competitions against San Jose. It is the 5th club KC has reached the century mark against (Colorado, Dallas, LA, New England).

Daniel Salloi made his 211th appearance in league play for KC, breaking his tie with Seth Sinovic for 9th all time on that list.

Salloi made his 47th substitute appearance in MLS competitions for KC, tying him with Jacob Peterson for 7th all time on that list.

Logan Ndenbe made his 50th league appearance for KC, he’s the 84th player to reach that mark.