PREVIEW: Last place SKC hosts Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps

When: Saturday, August 29 at 7:30 pm CST
Where: Sporting Park
How to Watch: Apple TV

Last Result:
SKC: 2-1 Loss at Atlanta United
VAN: 5-0 Win vs FC Dallas

Preview

Sporting KC officially begin their post-Dejan Joveljic era by hosting the current No. 1-seed in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Rapha Wicky’s side is coming off a 2-1 loss against fellow Wooden Spoon contender Atlanta United on the road. The rumor mill had all but confirmed Dejan Joveljic’s departure, thus why the Serbian forward did not feature against Atlanta.

Stephen Afrifa scored SKC’s lone goal after coming on as a sub in the second half.

However, Kansas City have a new hope who could be available to debut against the 2025 MLS Cup runners-up. Brazilian winger Andre Luiz has reportedly received his P1 visa and could feature on Saturday. In addition, a familiar name will now don the Sporting blue and will possibly be seen on the field against Vancouver. Owen Wolff, son of Kansas City legend Josh Wolff, was added via a trade with Austin FC.

A new midfielder and forward is nice, but defensively, there are still more questions than answers. SKC is currently riding a five-game winless streak in which they have found the back of the net twice and allowed 11 goals. If you’re a math person, that’s 2.2 goals per game.

Despite the arrival of defenders Or Blorian (who picked up an injury before the midweek match against St. Louis) and Moisés Mosquera, Kansas City’s defensive woes have continued. The team is currently on pace (82) to break the all-time record for goals allowed in a single season (76).

Meanwhile, the Whitecaps are coming off a 5-0 thrashing of FC Dallas which sprung them back atop the Western Conference table.

The Whitecaps boast a league best +27 goal differential having scored 45 goals and only allowed 18.

Forward Brian White made his return from injury in the win against FC Dallas, finding the back of the net twice, earning him Team of the Matchday honors alongside his teammate, Édier Ocampo.

The Whitecaps are rolling. The only team in the league arguably having a better season is Nashville SC. Sporting is in the middle of a rebuild of a rebuild. It is hard to think SKC has anything other than a puncher’s chance against a team who has their eyes set on making consecutive MLS Cup appearances. Kansas City is already looking toward next season and another loss to a title contender would not make or break the season.