Match Summary
Real Salt Lake defeated Sporting Kansas City 4:3. The match was played in Major League Soccer 2024. Goals were scored by A. Gómez 14′, S. Afrifa 28′, A. Julio 33′, A. Gómez 51′, W. Agada 70′, M. Crooks 84′, W. Agada 90′. 2 yellow cards were shown. Sporting Kansas City had 57% possession while Real Salt Lake held 43%. Sporting Kansas City had 27 shots (8 on target) compared to 14 (9 on target) for Real Salt Lake. Expected goals: Sporting Kansas City 2.76 — Real Salt Lake 2.68. Sporting Kansas City made 4 substitutions, Real Salt Lake made 5.
Match Events
Key match events between Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake — 7 goals and 2 cards recorded during the match.
assist: D. Luna
assist: N. Radoja
assist: D. Luna
assist: Z. Bassong
assist: C. Arango
assist: M. Rodríguez
Match Statistics
Sporting Kansas City had 57% possession against Real Salt Lake's 43%. Sporting Kansas City registered 27 shots (8 on target) while Real Salt Lake managed 14 (9 on target). Corner kicks: 13–0. Fouls committed: 16–11.
Lineups
Sporting Kansas City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under P. Vermes, while Real Salt Lake deployed a 4-2-3-1 under P. Mastroeni.
Squad Ratings
The overall squad rating for Sporting Kansas City is 6.79, compared to 6.94 for Real Salt Lake. This metric is derived from each player's average match rating across all league appearances this season — anything above 7.00 is considered strong, while below 6.50 signals inconsistency. Sporting Kansas City's highest-rated starter is J. Davis (6.89), while Real Salt Lake's best-rated player is B. Ojeda (6.96).
Attacking Output
The starting XI of Sporting Kansas City have contributed 1 goals and 1 assists this season, led by Z. Bassong (1G). Real Salt Lake's starters account for 3 goals and 0 assists, spearheaded by B. Ojeda (2G). Goals reflect clinical finishing and chance creation, while assists highlight the ability to unlock defences through through-balls, crosses, and set pieces.
Defensive Solidity
Sporting Kansas City deploy 4 defenders rated 6.86 on average, against Real Salt Lake's 4-man backline averaging 6.92. Higher defensive ratings suggest better positional awareness, fewer individual errors, and a greater likelihood of keeping clean sheets. The rating accounts for tackles won, interceptions, aerial duels, and blocks throughout the season.
Midfield Control
Sporting Kansas City field 5 midfielders averaging 6.82, versus Real Salt Lake's 5 rated 6.96. Midfield ratings reflect passing accuracy, interceptions, key passes, and overall control of possession — the team that dominates midfield typically dictates the tempo and territory of the match.
Forward Threat
Sporting Kansas City start 1 forward(s) averaging 6.65, compared to 1 for Real Salt Lake averaging —. Forward ratings capture shot accuracy, movement off the ball, dribbling success, and involvement in build-up play — they indicate who carries the greater goal threat on the day.
Passing & Build-Up
Passing accuracy averages —% for Sporting Kansas City and 43% for Real Salt Lake. Higher passing accuracy generally indicates a possession-based style with patient build-up through the thirds, while lower figures may suggest a more direct, counter-attacking approach with long balls and quick transitions.
Discipline
Sporting Kansas City's starters have collected 19 yellow cards this season, compared to 15 for Real Salt Lake. Yellow cards reflect how aggressively a team presses and tackles — a high count may indicate a physical, high-pressing style but also risks suspensions and late free-kicks in dangerous areas.
Age & Experience
The average age of Sporting Kansas City's starting XI is 30.1 (youngest: J. Davis (23), oldest: T. Melia (39)), while Real Salt Lake average 26.7 (youngest: B. Ojeda (25), oldest: A. Julio (29)). Younger squads typically offer pace, energy, and pressing intensity, while experienced lineups bring composure, game management, and the ability to handle high-pressure moments.
Squad Depth
Sporting Kansas City's starters average 18 league appearances each, versus 30 for Real Salt Lake. High appearance counts indicate an established, well-drilled unit that the manager trusts week in and week out. Lower figures may suggest rotation, injuries, or emerging players still earning their place in the team.
Substitutes
Substitutes
Recent Form
In their last 6 matches, Sporting Kansas City have recorded 0 wins, 1 draws and 5 defeats. Real Salt Lake show 2 wins, 1 draws and 3 losses from their last 6 outings.
Sporting Kansas City
Real Salt Lake
Head to Head
Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake have met 2 times — Sporting Kansas City won 0, Real Salt Lake won 1, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2025. Real Salt Lake leads the head-to-head with 1 victories from 2 meetings. A combined 5 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.50 per match (2 for the home side, 3 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 2 matches (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 games (50%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 2–1 in 2025.
0
Sporting Kansas City
1
Drawn
1
Real Salt Lake
Recent Meetings (2)
API data: 15 Mar 2026