When: Saturday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Children’s Mercy Park
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass

Last Result:
SKC: 3-0 Loss at Vancouver Whitecaps
SDFC: 1-0 Win vs Mazatlan (Leagues Cup)

Preview:

After a two-week break following a tough 3-0 loss to second place in the Western Conference Vancouver Whitecaps, Sporting Kansas City return to action by hosting first place in the Western Conference San Diego FC.

While SKC are coming of a long stint of rest, San Diego are coming off an overall disappointing performance in the Leagues Cup. Despite winning their last game of Leagues Cup group phase action 2-0, two losses in their first two games saw SDFC crash out of the Leagues Cup earlier than they may have hoped.

The last time these two teams met was back on May 17 in southern California and they fought to a 0-0 draw.

Since then, Sporting have gone on a 3W-4L-3D run, leaving something to be desired specifically on the defensive side of the ball. Sporting’s last win came on Fourth of July in Colorado against the Rapids by a score of 2-1.

Read More: What Does Sporting KC Need to do to Make the Playoffs?

With just 10 games left in the regular season for Sporting, they sit six points under the playoff line and face seven playoff teams in that span.

For interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin, the final stretch of the season will be a 10-game résumé builder as he looks to potentially hold on to the job full time.

Earlier this week, Sporting introduced new center back Alan Montes who they signed from Necaxa in Liga MX. Montes joins a defense that has allowed the second-most goals in the conference (45). Days after the Montes signing, SKC announced they had waived defender Dany Rosero, who had only made five appearances in 2025.

Burns: #SportingKC are pushing to get Alan Montes' P-1 Visa and they are hopeful to have him available for this weekend for the San Diego game. It's in the hands of the US Government.

— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) August 7, 2025

On the offensive side, Dejan Joveljic will look to climb up in the golden boot race where he currently sits tied for sixth with 13 goals.

San Diego, on the other hand, continue their fight for the top seed in the conference. The club acquired forward Corey Baird from FC Cincinnati, adding more weapons to an already potent attack.

While it didn’t translate to a successful Leagues Cup, SDFC have been one of the best teams in the league and will prove to be top competition for a Sporting KC side who are in need of positive momentum if they plan on making a run at the playoffs.

SKC will hope that the extra rest combined with a short week for SDFC will be enough to complete an upset or at least come up with a result as a bounce-back from the 3-0 loss at Vancouver before the break.