When: Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 pm
Where: Children’s Mercy Park
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass

Last Result:
SKC: 1-1 Draw vs Columbus Crew
SDFC: 2-0 Win vs St. Louis City SC

Preview:

Sporting Kansas City is coming off earning their first points of the 2026 campaign after a thrilling 2-2 draw in their home opener against the Columbus Crew. Now they host San Diego FC, a semi-finalist from the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs and a team that has yet to give up a goal in the 2026 regular season.

The home opener was a roller coaster for SKC as they fell behind in the first half after an errant pass from goalkeeper John Pulskamp was quickly picked off by the pressing Crew attack and eventually found the feet of Wessam Abou Ali who scored into an empty net.

After the halftime break, it didn’t take long for Dejan Joveljić to get back to his scoring ways, leveling the score at 1-1 with a classy finish in the 48th minute. The Serbian striker would then give the home side the lead in the 72nd minute, giving SKC their first multi-goal game since August 30, 2025.

The Crew leveled once again after a miscommunication on the backline led to a Diego Rossi finish in the 82nd. Things looked to be headed toward a Columbus victory when they were awarded a penalty kick in the dying embers of regulation. However, Pulskamp had different plans as saved Abou Ali’s spot kick, denying his brace and saving a point for Kansas City.

The draw was the first point earned in the Rapha Wicky era. The squad, though not yet complete, showed the ability to fight for a draw in a tightly contested match that could have gone either way.

For SDFC on the other hand, they are off to a ripping hot start in 2026, continuing their momentum that saw them end 2025 as a Western Conference finalist in their inaugural season.

After a 4-2 aggregate win over Liga MX-side Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the southern California squad followed it up with back-to-back shutout home wins of 5-0 over Montreal and 2-0 win over St. Louis. It’s only two games, and they were against both teams that finished 13th in their respective conferences last season, but they were decisive.

In both games, San Diego got off to fast starts, scoring early and continuing to press forward with a potent attack. Anders Dryer is following up his MLS Newcomer of the Year season in top form. Dryer already boasts 3 assists and 1 goal in just two games.

Momentum is key for both teams in this matchup, especially for SKC who want to build on their draw and continue to secure valuable points at home. However, from a talent perspective, they will be fighting an uphill battle against SDFC.

Kansas City will likely see Zorhan Bassong return to the pitch as he made his long-awaited return to practice this week. Regardless of his role in the lineup or if he comes off the bench, his presence provides depth and a dose of experience that some of the newcomers don’t have yet.

The draw felt good for Sporting and for the fans that made their way out to a chilly CMP, but tempered expectations are in order as one of the better sides in the Western Conference pays a visit. The goal is obviously to win every game, but even earning a result in this matchup would be a boost of positivity for the young season.

Prediction

I was wrong about every single score prediction last season, but it’s a new year! So here I go again: I think SKC manages to look good against a very good San Diego squad, but ultimately fall short. 2-1 for the visitors, with Deki getting his third of the season.