PREVIEW: SKC host red-hot Philadelphia Union in search of consecutive wins

When: Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 pm CST
Where: Sporting Park
How to Watch: Apple TV

Last Result:
SKC: 3-1 Win vs LAFC
PHI: 5-0 Win at San Diego FC

Preview

Sporting Kansas City earned their first win since July 22 with an impressive 3-1 score line over Western Conference powerhouse LAFC last weekend and are looking to keep that momentum going in a cross-conference test against one of the hottest teams in the league.

Thanks to an exciting performance by the club’s record-transfer Andre Luiz, SKC looked arguably the best they have since the regular season restarted after the World Cup.

Kansas City has scored three goals in back-to-back games, though they gave up four against FC Dallas two weeks ago. And although LAFC has been on a bit of sputter as of late, there is no denying that their offensive talent is some of the best in the league and SKC’s defensive performance should also be applauded.

Stefan Cleveland came up huge with seven saves to keep LAFC at bay and put an end to the southern California side’s 11-game unbeaten run against SKC.

But Cleveland and the defense now face another huge test when the Philadelphia Union come to town.

The Union have not lost a regular season game since the World Cup and have scored 12 goals in their last three games, all while allowing ZERO.

READ MORE: Wooden Spoon Update: Can Sporting KC Avoid Dead Last?

Philadelphia are coming off consecutive 5-0 wins against FC Cincinnati and San Diego FC, and perhaps the biggest story is the meteoric rise of soon-to-be 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan.

The young attacker, who just earned his first call-up for the United States men’s national team, has a goal or an assist in each of his last five matches, helping his side climb to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.

If you’re a believer in power rankings, mlssoccer.com has Philly 5th and considered a “bona fide” MLS Cup contender.

Being in separate conferences, the last time these teams faced was in 2024 and the match finished with a 1-1 score at Sporting Park with former midfielder Remi Walter scoring for the home team.

These two teams are under very different circumstances entering the match. Sporting KC is looking to put a stretch of results together to get them out of pole positing in the Wooden Spoon race, while the Union are looking to make noise and gain a higher seed by the time the playoffs come around.

SKC did a lot of good things against LAFC and they have a chance to keep the momentum up at home on Saturday.