Sporting Kansas City relinquish lead at home

After tallying the first goal in a home match for the first time in 2026, Sporting Kansas City was reaping the rewards of a well-played match by the 27th minute. Jacob Bartlett’s first MLS goal and the promising entry of winger Capita when the match was tight brought excitement. More bright moments would come, yet lingering cracks and crevices were eventually found by the visiting San Jose Earthquakes in a 3-1 loss.

Sporting Kansas City (1-4-1) is looking for their first win at home in the 2026 MLS season as they host San Jose Earthquakes at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, Saturday night. Recent history – a 3-0 loss at San Jose Matchday one – says the task will call for much.

That opening day score was complimentary to a Sporting side who often chased balls wide and over the top and left marks open for three too easy goals against. Not much  has changed since as Sporting have the largest xG allowed in MLS at 16.9 and the third worst goal differential at -8 through Matchday six. San Jose (5-1, with one goal against) sports the third best goal differential in the Western Conference at +9.

To face the task, Kansas City Manager Raphael Wicky sent out this Starting 11:

The lineup featured center back Diego Borges paired with Ian James in Borges’ first start and second appearance since Kansas City acquired the 21-year-old on March 17.

The Brazilian took up at left center back providing good positioning and a needed dash of speed in the opening minutes.

Sporting’s approach came down the left wing much of the first nine minutes, with Manu Garcia’s ball that ran inches too tall for Borges inside San Jose’s six-yard box being the best entry.

San Jose came within measurement themselves from a headed ball off a flighted cross from Sporting’s left flank in the 14th minute. Up to that point, however, Kansas City looked the better side displaying complementary balance through each line.

In the 18th minute, right back Justin Reynolds slid the ball to a central Garcia as the modest crowd rose in anticipation. Seeing Calvin Harris isolated wide left, Garcia dished to the winger, who cut right to curl inside the far post. But the rolling attempt went wide.

Borges, as he had been all match, was an alert defender for a San Jose cross in the 22nd minute to deny the Earthquakes a chance. But the visitors were gaining traction.

Yet, soccer is a crazy game. Garcia fed striker Dejan Joveljic at the top of San Jose’s box. Joveljic, Sporting’s leading scorer, became provider this time as he fed through the legs of an Earthquake defender for a running Jacob Bartlett. Bartlett, of all players, struck first time for a partially blocked shot that found net. The goal was the Kansas native’s first in MLS.

The 38th minute saw Harris battle for a ball near the spot in San Jose’s box. The English-born winger was sent to the turf by a blow to the back of his head. About five minutes later, Harris donned a wrap around his head and a new jersey.

San Jose leveled in the 44th minute. Niko Tsakiris danced down the inner right channel, scooting by Harris last, to serve a roller into Kansas City’s box. The ball found a loose Jack Skahan at the doorstep for an easy tap in past Sporting Goalkeeper John Pulskamp.

Halftime arrived shortly, and after a first half slanted towards the hosts, a compelling second stanza waited.

An early chance from close-range for San Jose meant a jump scare for the faithful counting on their heroes to regain the lead. The 49th minute was a full-on scare. On the break, San Jose played behind Borges, pulling James wide. With Borges retreating and Skahan waiting at the top of Sporting’s box, Preston Judd played for Skahan who calmly finished behind an out-to-dry Pulskamp.

After Joveljic drew a foul on the left wing for a free kick, Wicky brought on Kansas City’s newest player, Angolan winger Capita for Harris. The ensuing kick was to Capita whose cross into the Earthquake’s box nearly found a target. A harbinger of magic?

James slalom through the heart of San Jose saw him dish for Capita, who returned in kind. The pass, though, was a tad long being gobbled up by goalkeeper Daniel. But a certain scintillation hit the crowd anytime Capita was near the ball.

Tactically, Capita marauded in the inner left channel, staying close to Joveljic, while Shapi Suleymanov (soon replaced by Stephen Afrifa and Garcia by Jake Davis in the 66th minute), tucked in on the right.

Davis to Reynolds to Capita nearly struck pay dirt in the 69th minute, but Capita’s shot went high from 14 yards out. Nonetheless, his promising entry – and a nifty nutmeg a bit later – made the winger an attraction.

But all the flash was immaterial to the substance – and the poor box defense of Kansas City – that was San Jose’s quick passing and recognition of space. Dave Romney smashed a shot by Pulskamp after Benji Kikanovic and Daniel Munie crashed through the Sporting defense in the 75th minute.

Kwaku Agyabeng and Taylor Calheira were sent on in the 81st minute for Jayden Reid and Bartlett.

Afrifa raised the hopes with a looping shot from 19 yards in the 87th minute that skimmed over the bar. Yet, Sporting’s domination in possession over a confident San Jose side had come to nothing when six minutes of added time were announced.

The minutes dwindled away as did the magic and the hopes of a first home win for Sporting Kansas City in 2026.

Sporting Kansas City will next face Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the US Open Cup Round of 32, Tuesday night, before facing Vancouver Whitecaps on the road in a rare Friday night tilt in Vancouver.