Sporting Kansas City vs LAFC: MLS Match Preview and Predictions

Okay, okay! Settle down now folks! We’re back, and we have another fun one incoming as Sporting Kansas City prepares to go toe-to-toe with LAFC. Steel your nerves, as this one promises action, adventure, intrigue, and perhaps even a goal or three.

The Season So Far: A Tale of Two Cities

If we’re being honest with ourselves (and why wouldn’t we be?), this season hasn’t started off at all well for Sporting Kansas City. Sporting KC is dangling just above the bottom rung of the ladder, desperately looking for some kind of momentum.

With just one point so far this season, Sporting’s form has left a lot to be desired. But all is not yet lost. Despite the run of poor form, last week’s 3-3 draw against Minnesota United feels like it could be a turning point, which would be crucial: early season holes are not easy to dig out of. While perhaps it’s harsh to expect a “rebuild” season to carry lofty expectations, failing to even challenge for a spot in the playoffs will leave the fan base with much to be disappointed about.

LAFC have had more of a rollercoaster experience to start 2025, coming out the gates with back-to-back 1-0 wins before a 5-2 pummeling in Seattle, followed up with a 0-1 loss at home to Austin FC. So, the good news for Sporting Kansas City is that LAFC is definitely beatable. The bad news is, they are still very, very dangerous. They are a team that won the MLS Cup in 2022, were MLS Cup runners up in 2023, and claimed the US Open Cup in 2024 against your very own Sporting KC. They consistently feature near the top of the table; their playoff expectations for this season are very clear.

Tactics and Strategy

Sporting Kansas City has stuck with their favored 4-3-3, and for twelve or so wonderful minutes against Minnesota, it all seemed to click. With attacking intent on full display, Sporting showed the attack we have all been waiting for, culminating in a Dejan Joveljic goal assisted by Manu Garcia, a tandem to be very excited to see more of. It’s probably worth noting that Sporting dominated possession, holding the ball for more than two thirds of the match and completing 624 passes, compared to 281 for Minnesota. While unlikely that LAFC will allow Sporting as much possession as Minnesota did, Peter Vermes’ side will likely stick with the plan to hold the ball, frustrate and wear down opponents, and wait for some quick attacking runs. 

Under Steve Cherundulo, LAFC also typically employs a 4-3-3, but with a tendency to morph into a 3-4-3 when playing against a side like Kansas City, who generally build up and battle in the midfield for possession. Like Minnesota, LA has good defensive discipline and is dangerous on the counterattack. While they’ve welcomed new attacking talents like French veteran Olivier Giroud and Turkish international Cengiz Ünder, the Gabonese speedster Denis Bouanga remains their primary attacking threat. Even without finding the net in the early stages of 2025, his pace and ability to exploit open spaces make him a constant menace for any defense.

History, Head-to-Heads, and Hypotheticals

Looking back at the recent clashes between these two sides, head-to-head form favors the visitors. LAFC emerged victorious in their last encounter in Kansas City in October of 2024 with a 3-0 scoreline. They also triumphed in the US Open Cup Final in September of the same year, albeit after extra time, with a 3-1 result.

Prior to that, their early 2024 season league meeting at BMO Stadium ended in a goalless draw. LAFC leads the all-time head-to-head series with eight wins, compared to four for Sporting Kansas City, with two matches drawn between them. If you want a fun, belated Pi-Day fact, the average number of goals scored when these two teams face each other is… 3.14! You heard it here first. Better late than never.

As far as head-to-head clashes go, look for LAFC to go after SKC defender Joaquin Fernández. Fernández will need to keep his wits about him, as containing LAFC’s threats upfront, especially a mobile and explosive Bouanga, will be a tough assignment (Editor: Bouanga will be away with Gabon on international duty, as will Nthan Ordaz with El Salvador).

Another intriguing duel awaits in the midfield, where Erik Thommy will likely face off against LAFC’s seasoned veteran, Mark Delgado. Thommy’s range of passing, his physicality, and his pace will be tested against Delgado’s tactical awareness and desire to disrupt opposition attacks before they start.

And now for an interesting “What if?” scenario: Imagine if LAFC’s marquee signing, Olivier Giroud, finally finds his scoring touch. Given Sporting Kansas City’s defensive vulnerabilities, a finisher of Giroud’s caliber could have a field day, adding another layer of threat to LAFC’s attack. He did miss the Austin game with an injury, so we’ll see if he’s available.

In the eight games they’ve played this season, LAFC have won each match in which they have scored first and have lost each match where they’ve conceded the opener. Getting a quick jab in and scoring first will be the game plan for both sides.

Other Things to Watch For

Here are a few more stray thoughts to mull over as the game unfolds:

LAFC’s Formation Flexibility: Will Steve Cherundolo opt for his familiar 4-3-3 or switch to the 3-4-3 to try and disrupt Sporting’s midfield? Their tactical setup at kickoff will be a key indicator of their game plan.

The Influence of Manu Garcia: How effectively will Sporting Kansas City utilize their new number 10? If LAFC manages to stifle his creativity or mark him out of the game, SKC’s attacking endeavors may fall flat.

There’s No Place Like Home: What will the crowd at Children’s Mercy Park sound like after last week’s historic comeback? Will Sporting Kansas City players respond? A vibrant home atmosphere used to be the norm for Kansas City. The return of the fabled “12th man” would be more than welcomed by all.

Set-Piece Supremacy: Watch out for who has the better delivery from dead-ball situations and which team possesses the greater aerial threat in the penalty box. Sporting Kansas City has historically struggled with set pieces, but with the off-season roster moves and a new cast of skillful players, attacking set pieces may be a new avenue to goals.

Predictions and Parting Shots

I don’t like to do it, but I’ll be a little negative today. The current form of Sporting Kansas City and LAFC’s recent dominance in this head-to-head matchup make it difficult for me to envision anything other than a tough night for the home side. I’m predicting a 3-2 victory for LAFC.

Can Sporting Kansas City conjure up another round of home-field heroics and start to right the ship? Or will LAFC return to their winning ways? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!