Match Preview: Can Sporting KC Keep the Fire Burning in Cincinnati?

Alright folks, Matchday 10 is rolling in, and MLS is feeding us with a cross-conference tilt that’s suddenly very interesting. We’ve got Sporting KC heading east to face FC Cincinnati this Saturday, and boy, these two teams couldn’t be coming from more different places right now.

You’ve got Cincy, sitting pretty near the top of the East, grinding out wins more or less like clockwork. Efficient? Yes. Exciting? Sometimes? Then you’ve got Sporting KC.

If we’re being honest, and we are, it’s been rough going near the bottom of the West for most of this season. But – and it’s a big but – they’re coming off a fairly bonkers offensive explosion last week. Was that for real, or just a one-off, juice-box induced sugar high? That’s the millions-of-dollars-worth-of-allocation-money question.

The showdown’s set for TQL Stadium in Cincy this Saturday, April 26, 2025. Kick-off is 1:30 PM Kansas City time, so plan your afternoon accordingly.

For Cincinnati, it’s about staying on top and proving they belong in the Supporters’ Shield conversation. For us? This is almost as huge. It’s a chance to show that five-goal field day wasn’t just beating up on a struggling San Jose Earthquakes side. It’s about proving there’s some real life, real fight, and maybe a real turnaround brewing under Kerry Zavagnin. Stakes are high in the Queen City – can SKC’s newfound spark survive against Cincy’s slow burn?

The Orange & Blue Machine: Cincy Doesn’t Stop

Let’s give credit where it’s due: FC Cincinnati is rolling. Coach Pat Noonan has them looking tough, tied for first in the East with 19 points and a 6-1-2 record. They’re riding a four-game win streak into this one, including gritty road wins against Nashville (2-1), D.C. (1-0), and just last week, a wild 3-2 victory over Chicago.

The thing about Cincy is how they win. They score, yes, but their bread and butter is locking things down defensively and managing the game like consummate professionals. Those back-to-back 1-0 wins are Classic Cincinnati. Get this: since the start of the 2023 season, they’re 32-8 in games decided by just one goal. That’s insane! It tells you they know how to win tight ones. Their +2 goal difference despite having 19 points screams efficiency over firepower. They find ways to get it done, week after week. It works, but they gotta stay focused – one mistake, and that narrow margin disappears.

While it’s a team effort, they’ve got guys making plays. Midfielder Evander is always dangerous, and forward Kévin Denkey has chipped in four goals. But they get contributions from everywhere – remember 20-year-old homegrown Gerardo ‘Dado’ Valenzuela scoring his first winner against D.C.? Goalie Roman Celentano is solid, and their defense, led by captain Miles Robinson, just got a big boost with Matt Miazga back from injury (he played his first minutes since last June against D.C.). Plus, they’re tough at home (3-1-0 this year).

A Glimmer of Hope in KC? That San Jose Thing

Okay, let’s talk Sporting. It hasn’t been fun, has it? Sitting 13th out in the West with just seven points (2-1-6) after nine games isn’t where anyone wanted to be. They’ve given up 19 goals already, leading to that -4 goal difference.

That 4-2 loss at home to the Portland Timbers still stings. Those struggles led to the massive news at the end of March: Peter Vermes, the coach and face of the club for so long, was out. Kerry Zavagnin, a guy who knows this club inside and out, stepped in as interim head coach. It’s a huge shift, bringing uncertainty but also a chance for a fresh perspective. Zavagnin didn’t have much time before the transfer window closed, so he’s working with the guys already here, outside of yesterday’s move to add 22-year-old forward Santiago Munoz.

And then… San Jose happened. Matchday 9. On the road. A stunning 5-3 WIN (remember those?). Seriously, when was the last time SKC dropped five goals on someone? (Checks notes: 2019). Suddenly, Zavagnin’s got two wins in his first three games, and there’s a bit of buzz again.

The star of that show? Dániel Sallói. The Hungarian winger went supernova – two goals, two assists, a career game, and MLS Player of the Matchday honors. His first goal, running onto that long ball from Pulskamp? Chef’s kiss. His second goal, grabbing the momentum back after San Jose clawed their way in? Second chef’s kiss.

So, here’s the big question echoing around KC: Was that real? Was that the attack finally clicking under Zavagnin, playing with freedom? Or was it just a weird day against a leaky defense? This game against Cincinnati’s stingy backline is a huge test. Sporting KC went from barely scoring a goal per game to putting up five. That kind of swing screams unpredictable. The Zavagnin effect feels real, but doing it again against this Cincy defense? That’s a whole different challenge. KC need Sallói firing, and they also need guys like Dejan Joveljić and Erik Thommy stepping up consistently.

Tale of the Tape: How SKC Stack Up (2025 So Far)

Let’s just lay the numbers out side-by-side. It paints a picture:

Yes, the stats show Cincy’s been way more consistent and solid defensively. But hey, look at that – despite the points gap, SKC has actually scored more goals (15 to 13), admittedly thanks almost entirely to that San Jose game. It perfectly captures the matchup: Cincy’s steady grind versus SKC’s attacking potential, but leaky defensive vibe right now.

What I’ll Be Watching For (And Who, and Why)

So, what breaks this game open?

1. Can SKC’s Attack Actually Bother Cincy? This is it, right? Can the movement and confidence we saw last week trouble a defense that just doesn’t give up much? Or will Robinson and a potentially healthier Miazga just shut the door? Miazga getting fitter could be bad news for Sporting KC as the game goes on.
2. The Midfield Grind: Who controls the middle? Can Cincy’s hard workers like Bucha, Anunga control the game’s pace? Or can KC’s guys (Radoja? Thommy? Memo?) disrupt them and win the ball back where it hurts? Cincy seems like they can play with or without the ball, so KC need to be sharp.
3. Can Sporting KC Survive Their Pressure? Can Cincy Survive KC’s Counters? Cincinnati will try to punish Kanas City’s defensive mistakes (all 19 goals conceded worth). Can Evander or Denkey find space? On the flip side, if Cincy pushes up, can Sallói and Co. hit them on the break like they did against San Jose? They showed they can be deadly with space.

Players Under the Microscope:

• For Cincy: Keep an eye on Gerardo Valenzuela (can the kid do it again?), Matt Miazga (how sharp is he really?), and Evander (always the danger man).
• For Sporting: All eyes on Dániel Sallói (encore performance?), Kerry Zavagnin (what tricks does he have up his sleeve tactically?), and honestly, the Entire SKC Defense (Pulskamp, Rosero, Voloder, the fullbacks – gotta be way better).

Final Thoughts & Prediction

Let’s be real. Cincinnati is at home, they’re disciplined, and they usually find ways to win tight games. They should be favorites on paper. BUT…

That San Jose game wasn’t a fluke, was it? Sallói looked unstoppable, and there’s definitely a different energy under Zavagnin. Can Sporting KC carry that firepower east? It’s a huge ask against this Cincy defense, no doubt. Expect Cincinnati to find the net at home, but the SKC attack showed real teeth last week.

My gut is leaning towards an entertaining back-and-forth. Cincy’s consistency is tough to bet against, but I can’t shake this feeling from the San Jose game. I’m going to call it a 2-2 draw. Yeah, optimistic given our road form and their defense, but if Sporting KC’s attack travels, and clicks again like it did last week, KC could definitely snag a point.

What do you guys think? Can Sporting pull off the upset? Let me know your predictions below!