Match Preview: Sporting KC Hosts Struggling Champion LA Galaxy Amidst Early Season Questions

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Children’s Mercy Park prepares for what promises to be an interesting and action-packed Western Conference match this Sunday, May 4th, as Sporting Kansas City takes on the LA Galaxy. While still early in the 2025 season, this game carries weight for two teams seeking better results. Recent history and current form suggest goals could be a big part of this one.

The Western Conference standings show familiar competitiveness. Vancouver Whitecaps FC led after ten matches (23 points, +13 GD), with teams like Austin FC, Minnesota United, and the Portland Timbers positioned as early playoff contenders.

This backdrop highlights the situations of Sunday’s basement-dwelling opponents. Sporting KC enters the weekend aiming to improve on their 14th place standing (7 points after 10 games), a continuation of struggles from their 13th place finish in 2024. Their opponents, the LA Galaxy, are off to a difficult start to their MLS Cup title defense. Winless through their first ten matches (0W-3D-7L) and coming off a 4-2 loss to Portland, the Galaxy sit at the bottom of the conference with just three points and a concerning -12 goal differential.

Perhaps fortunately for Sporting KC, the reigning champions are seriously underperforming, raising questions about their form post-championship. Kansas City, meanwhile, is trying to navigate a period of transition after the major coaching change, showing some positive attacking signs in the process, but also continuing to struggle with ongoing defensive fragilities.

Sporting KC – Adjusting Under New Leadership

Kerry Zavagnin, Vermes’ long-time assistant, saw his tenure start positively with a 2-0 home win against St. Louis City SC, featuring two goals from new signing Dejan Joveljić. But the results have been inconsistent since: a 4-2 home loss to Portland, a 5-3 away win at San Jose, and most recently, a 2-1 away loss to FC Cincinnati.

These games highlight an emerging pattern: increased goal scoring, with 10 goals in the last four games, alongside more defensive concessions (9 goals conceded in that same span). It’s yet to be determined if this reflects a major tactical adjustment, a natural evolution, or something else entirely.

On the attacking side, all eyes will be on Joveljić, whose offseason trade from the Galaxy makes this matchup particularly interesting. All five of his goals this season have come at home. Dániel Sallói has found strong form, contributing four goals and two assists on the season, while Erik Thommy and Manu García remain important pieces in controlling the midfield.

Are injuries becoming a concern? Starting center-back Dany Rosero (Quad) and midfielder/defender Jake Davis (Hamstring) were unavailable for the trip to Cincinnati, as was defender Joaquin Fernandez (Hamstring). Their status for the Galaxy match will be important, possibly impacting SKC’s defensive structure and midfield depth – a significant concern given how poorly the defense has looked for long stretches of the season.

Jake Davis potentially back this week if all goes well per Zavagnin. Same with Rosero. Joaquin probably not. #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/TZ4oim40at

— Daniel Sperry (@sperrydaniel94) April 29, 2025

LA Galaxy – Champions Facing Early Adversity

The Galaxy’s start to 2025 has been shockingly difficult for a reigning champion. Ten games without a win, combined with a league-worst -12 goal differential, has put a ton of pressure on head coach Greg Vanney and the squad.

Vanney has pointed to issues with attacking cohesion, positional discipline, and costly individual defensive errors contributing to the team’s struggles (25 goals conceded in their first 14 games across all competitions). Integrating new signings while coping with some critical departures (Dejan Joveljić being one of them) from the 2024 team has also presented challenges.

Perhaps the most significant factor impacting the Galaxy is the long-term knee injury (ACL) suffered by midfielder Riqui Puig in last year’s Western Conference Final. Puig was central to their championship run (15 goals, 13 assists in 2024), and his likely absence for the 2025 season leaves a major gap in midfield creativity and control.

Veteran playmaker Marco Reus recently returned from a knee injury and scored against Portland, providing a needed boost. Wingers Joseph Paintsil (15 goals and 11 assists in 2024) and Gabriel Pec offer both pace and directness. Striker Christian Ramirez, recently acquired via trade, leads the team this season with five goals across all competitions. Diego Fagundez provides experience and versatility and is always dangerous. Without Puig, the Galaxy’s tactical approach may rely more on transition moments initiated by Reus and the speed of Paintsil and Pec, rather than sustained midfield possession.

History, Joveljić, and Tactical Considerations

While the all-time regular-season series is pretty balanced, Sporting KC has historically been strong against the Galaxy at Children’s Mercy Park. Notably, recent league meetings have often featured multiple goals: a 4-2 LA win last June, a 3-2 LA win in KC in March 2024, and two 2-2 draws before that suggest scoring chances come often when these two sides meet. The presence of Dejan Joveljić adds a compelling layer. Having scored the MLS Cup winner for LA in December before being traded to SKC, he faces his former club, which will surely carry a little bit of extra personal motivation.

Tactically, SKC will probably look to control possession at home, with offensive moments moving through midfielders Thommy and García, supplying chances for Sallói and Joveljić.

Improving defensive organization will be key. The Galaxy will likely focus on reducing the defensive mistakes that have plagued them, and their best attacking route may be through quick transitions using their wingers’ speed, orchestrated by Reus. Other teams have exploited this, and Kansas City will need to stay vigilant.

Key individual matchups include Joveljić against LA’s central defenders, the in-form Sallói against LA’s right back (likely Miki Yamane), Reus finding space against SKC’s midfield lineup, and SKC’s fullbacks managing the pace of Paintsil and Pec. Midfield cohesion will be important, especially considering Puig’s absence for LA and the potential absence of Davis for SKC.

Three Crucial Points on the Line

This match presents a big opportunity for both struggling teams. Sporting KC has shown attacking potential at home and has the Joveljić storyline as a motivator. The Galaxy possesses talented individuals but are hampered by the loss of Puig and are mired in poor form, especially defensively.

Given the recent goal tallies in this head-to-head matchup and both teams’ recent games, scoring seems likely! SKC’s home advantage and slightly better offensive rhythm lately could be the deciding factors.

My prediction? Sporting Kansas City 3, LA Galaxy 2. This one could turn into another track meet. A win would provide much-needed momentum for Sporting KC under Zavagnin. For the LA Galaxy, ending their winless run is critical to stabilizing their season and keeping their title defense hopes alive. The match, which is also Sporting KC’s Star Wars Night™, promises to be a significant early-season test for both clubs.

But what do you think? Let us know in the comments below.