SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v. SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. Sporting Kansas City make the journey from the city of fountains to The Evergreen to face our beloved Sounders FC. If they brought a few crates of barbecued ribs and sauce with them, it wouldna go amiss.

What: MLS league match, Seattle Sounders FC v. Sporting Kansas City.

Where: Royal Brougham Park, Occidental Avenue, Seattle, Washington.

When: 6:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Thursday 1 October 2026 CE.

At Stake: Points in the league for the purposes of MLS Cup qualification. It should be noted that winning MLS Cup is the only path left for Sounders FC to qualify for next season’s CONCACAF Champions Cup, as I doubt we’ll make up 15 points on Vancouver in eight matches to finish with the best record in the west region. Sounders FC, fresh off two straight victories, soar to 15th in the MLS league table on 35 points, 25 points adrift of leaders Nashville. The west region table for MLS Cup qualification from places 8-15 currently looks like this:

8 LA Galaxy 28 matches played 36 points

9 Sounders 26 matches played 35 points

——————————————————————————————————————————-

10 Portland         27 matches played 32 points

11 Salt Lake 27 matches played 32 points

12 San Diego 27 matches played 32 points

13 Austin 27 matches played 31 points

14 Minnesota 27 matches played 29 points

15 Kansas City 26 matches played 21 points

So as you can see, the margins are incredibly narrow. Any slip-up or hot streak massively changes the dynamic. Saturday’s relevant matches in the late-stage qualifying scramble, to be played on 10 and 11 October are:

STL v. LAG, NE v. SEA, SKC v. POR, PHI v. RSL, NYRB v. SD, ATX v. NSH, and MIN v. HOU.

Where to Watch: Apple TV.

Where to Listen: iHeart Radio (KJR) and El Rey 1360 AM.

Well hot damn. Sounders have won two in a row and are, at least for the moment, in the last qualifying berth for MLS Cup. Fate has supplied us with weakened opposition, with Salt Lake and Minnesota both missing key personnel through a combination of injuries and national team call-ups, and looks to supply us three points again with our next guest being 30th and last place bottom-dwellers Kansas City. I mean, they’ve been utter crap the entire season. Easy peasy…right?

Maybe not so much. Since 24 June, Kansas City has spent €23.6M in transfer fees and loan fees, including a €15.5M transfer fee to sign Brazilian winger Andre Luiz from Olympiacos. They also picked up Karic from Sturm Graz, Mosquera from Juarez, and Wolff from Austin FC, and signed both Reid from New York City FC and Ramos from LA Galaxy on loan agreements. Before the start of the season, they hired former Young Boys BSC Manager Raphael Wicky who helped lead the Bern outfit to a Swiss League and Cup double in 2022-23. These are the actions of a club that is serious about improvement.

If you look at Kansas City’s results in the league as an overall picture, it’s straight crap. Bottom of the league, lowest goal scoring in the league, and knocked out of US Open Cup in their first match against 2nd Division Colorado Springs Switchbacks. From 25 July to 5 September, Kansas City had a record of 0-1-6 and had won only four of their first 23 matches in the league. And then something happened. They beat LAFC 3:1 on 12 September (something we haven’t managed to do this season), lost to Philadelphia by one goal in a 3:4 thriller on 19 September, and most recently defeated Houston 0:2 on the road on 26 September. Granted that their recent turn-around is too late for them to qualify for MLS Cup, but they could play spoiler. And it looks like they might have the talent to do it.

It’s a benchmark match for the Sounders. If they cannae beat the last-place team in the league, how are they supposed to contend for MLS Cup against clubs with better form and who have invested even more money to strengthen their squads? Mark my words, two teams that are currently trending upward will collide this Thursday night. Do we have the nerve and composure to take advantage?

And that’s where our lot come in. Get yourselves to the ground if you have the time and means to do so. Make an unruly racket to such an extent that it shakes the rafters. For those of us who won’t be going, we must stare at the telly screen and focus all psychic energy not needed for life support on our Boys in Green. It’s pubs and dwellings for stories and tellings. Houses and flats for pints and cats. Boats and ships for pie and chips. Buckle up, it’s about to get wooly.

It’s MLS league football under the Thursday night lights of Royal Brougham Park. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”

“There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent.” – Lao Tzu

The Good News

The Sounders form is the best it’s been since the start of the season. We haven’t lost a match since 19 August. Since that last loss, we’ve been unbeaten in seven matches, winning two straight, with a record of 2-5-0. We’re scoring goals again, player movement and ball movement have improved, and we look the part of underdog cup contenders.

We’re getting players back from injury, the most recent to return to fitness being Gomez Andrade who is the best right-centre-half in the squad. Add him to the others who have recently returned to fitness like Ragen, Kim, Morris, and Cristian, and we’re starting to look more like ourselves again.

Even though recent form has seen an upswing for Kansas City, they are 2-1-7 in their last 10 matches. Add to that their 3-0-11 record on the road, the 2.44 goals per match they’re conceding, their -32 goal difference, and their anaemic attack that is averaging slightly better than one goal per match (1.15), and you have the recipe for Sounders victory, if only on paper.

The Bad News

We’re missing Joveljic and Brunell due to national team commitments. So it looks like Joveljic won’t have a chance to have a go at his old mates. De la Vega is still unable to regain fitness and has been injured for an amount of time that transcends concerning. Ferreira is nursing a hamstring issue and faces a late fitness test to see if he’s ready to go. And the club’s leading scorer this season, Rothrock, is also out with a hamstring injury.

Kansas City, despite their record, have added a heap of new talent that did not come cheap, most prominently Brazilian winger Andre Luiz. Their Manager Raphael Wicky had previously coached Young Boys BSC in Switzerland to some success and also the United States U-17s. With two wins in their last three, Kansas City look like a club that is on the mend and back to winning ways.

Although the all-time record between the two teams in the league is a bit 50/50-ish, at 15-5-12, usually our record at home against most clubs is more dominant. But it isn’t in this instance. Sounders are 8-2-6 all-time in the league against Kansas City when playing at Royal Brougham Park. That’s only slightly better than a 50% record.

The Side I Would Select

I’d essentially line-up the most experienced players we have, save for Clark at left-forward who I feel deserves a shot in the team, Kingston to hold in midfield as Brunell is away with the Yanks U-20s, and Dotson is suspended for accumulated bookings.

GK     Thomas

LB     Nouhou

LCH     Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Alex

LDM    Kingston

RDM   Cristian

LF     Clark

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Gomez

CF     Musovski

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

I’d expect this selection given the current absences in the squad, although it’s possible Schmetzer will prefer Alex over Kalani at right-back.

GK     Thomas

LB     Nouhou

LCH     Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Kossa-Rienzi

LDM    Kingston

RDM   Cristian

LF     Arriola

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Gomez

CF     Musovski

Intangibles

The Referee for Saturday’s match will be Jair Marrufo.

SEA record with Marrufo as Ref: 24-6-12

SKC record with Marrufo as Ref: 8-8-11

SEA aggregate squad estimated transfer value: €50.83M

SKC aggregate squad estimated transfer value: €43.88M

SEA 2026 transfer fees paid: €5.2M

SKC 2026 transfer fees paid: €33.39M* *includes loan fees

Kansas City Manager Raphael Wicky had 75 caps for Switzerland as a player. Wicky was at Young Boys BSC, where he managed them to a Swiss league and Swiss Cup double in 2022-23, before coming to Kansas City. Wicky was also Manager for the United States U-17s. Wicky holds a UEFA Pro coaching license.

General notes on personnel

Kansas City transfers IN:

Tschantret - reserves

Cleveland (Austin FC) €43,000

Agyabeng - reserves

Reynolds (Chicago Fire FC) free

Harris (Colorado Rapids) free

Meyer (Nashville SC) free

Reid (St. Louis City SC) free

Reynaga - reserves

Johnsen (Malmo) €3.5M

Calheira (FC Tulsa) €2.3M

Bartlow (Houston Dynamo) free

Blorian (Hapoel Be’er Sheva) free

Capemba (Radomiak Radom) €2.3M

Borges (Zalaegerszeg) €1.7M

Karic (Sturm Graz) €450,000

Mosquera (Juarez) €3.62M

Andre Luiz (Olympiacos) €15.5M

Wolff (Austin FC) €3.85M

Reid (New York City FC) loan fee: €65,000

Ramos (Los Angeles Galaxy) loan fee: €65,000

Kansas City transfers OUT:

Brody - released

Fernandez (Huesca) free

Leibold - out of contract

Montes (Necaxa) end of loan

Munoz (Santos Laguna) end of loan

Ndenbe - out of contract

Radoja (Cultural Leonesa) free

Rodriguez (Sacramento Republic FC) free

Shelton - released

Thommy - out of contract

Toye - released

Voloder - out of contract

Salloi (Toronto FC) €225,000

Bartlow (Tampa Bay Rowdies) loan

Garcia (Aris Saloniki) free

Joveljic (Seattle Sounders FC) €5.2M

Schewe (Louisville City) loan

Comparison against common opponents

SEA 2:0 COL

COL 3:3 SEA

SKC 1:4 COL

COL 2:0 SKC

(against COL: SEA 1-1-0 +2, SKC 0-0-2 -5) decisive edge SEA

RSL 2:1 SEA

SEA 2:0 RSL

RSL 3:1 SKC

(against RSL: SEA 1-0-1 +1, SKC 0-0-1 -2) decisive edge SEA

STL 0:1 SEA

SEA 4:1 STL

STL 3:2 SKC

SKC 1:1 STL

(against STL: SEA 2-0-0 +4, SKC 0-1-1 -1) decisive edge SEA

SJ 0:1 SEA

SEA 3:2 SJ

SJ 3:0 SKC

SKC 1:3 SJ

(against SJ: SEA 2-0-0 +2, SKC 0-0-2 -5) decisive edge SEA

MIN 0:0 SEA
SEA 3:1 MIN

SKC 2:1 MIN

(against MIN: SEA 1-1-0 +2, SKC 1-0-0 +1) marginal edge SEA

HOU 0:1 SEA

SKC 0:2 HOU

HOU 0:2 SKC

(against HOU: SEA 1-0-0 +1, SKC 1-0-1 0) marginal edge SEA

SEA 2:1 DAL

DAL 4:3 SKC

(against DAL: SEA 1-0-0 +1, SKC 0-0-1 -1) decisive edge SEA

SEA 1:1 SD

SKC 0:1 SD

(against SD: SEA 0-1-0 0, SKC 0-0-1 -1) marginal edge SEA

SEA 0:2 LAG

LAG 1:1 SEA

LAG 1:2 SKC
SKC 3:1 LAG

(against LAG: SEA 0-1-1 -2, SKC 2-0-0 +3) decisive edge SKC

LAFC 1:0 SEA

LAFC 4:0 SKC

SKC 3:1 LAFC

(against LAFC: SEA 0-0-1 -1, SKC 1-0-1 -2) marginal edge SKC

SEA 1:5 POR

POR 2:1 SEA

POR 6:0 SKC

(against POR: SEA 0-0-2 -5, SKC 0-0-1 -6) marginal edge SEA

ATX 3:1 SEA

SEA 1:2 ATX

ATX 1:2 SKC

(against ATX: SEA 0-0-2 -3, SKC 1-0-0 +1) decisive edge SKC

PHI 1:0 SEA

SKC 3:4 PHI

(against PHI: SEA 0-0-1 -1, SKC 0-0-1 -1) even

SEA 0:2 VAN

VAN 0:3 SEA CCC

SEA 2:1 VAN* CCC *Spokane

VAN 3:0 SKC

SKC 0:3 VAN

(against VAN: SEA 2-0-1 +2, SKC 0-0-2 -6) decisive edge SEA

SEA 2:2 CHI

CHI 5:0 SKC

(against CHI: SEA 0-1-0 0, SKC 0-0-1 -5) decisive edge SEA

SEA 0:0 NYRB

SKC 1:2 NYRB

(against NYRB: SEA 0-1-0 0, SKC 0-0-1 -1) marginal edge SEA

Know Thine Enemy

Kansas City as they lined up in their 0:2 victory at Houston on 26 September at Walker Street.

GOALKEEPER

Stefan Cleveland, 32

United States

Notable Clubs: Chicago Fire (5/0), Tulsa Roughnecks (3/0), Seattle Sounders FC (22/0), Sporting Kansas City (17/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €150,000

Notes: Developed by Blast FC. Played his university football for Dartmouth (38/0) and Louisville (22/0). Won a CONCACAF Champions League with Seattle Sounders FC.

DEFENCE

Emir Karic, 29

Bosnia & Herzegovina (1/0)

Notable Clubs: LASK (2/0), Liefering (63/0), Rheindorf Altach (75/1), Darmstadt (80/4), Sturm Graz (45/0), Sporting Kansas City (12/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.2M

Notes: Developed by ASKO Leonding, LASK, and FC Pasching. Won an Austrian Bundesliga title with Sturm Graz.

Wyatt Meyer, 24

United States

Notable Clubs: Nashville SC (6/0), Sporting Kansas City (20/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €600,000

Notes: Developed by ACC Mavericks. Played his university football for California (66/4). Won a US Open Cup with Nashville SC.

Jansen Miller, 24

United States

Notable Clubs: Sporting Kansas City (41/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €800,000

Notes: Played his university football for Xavier (27/0) and Indiana (50/2).

Justin Reynolds, 22

United States

Notable Clubs: Chicago Fire (12/1), Lugano (1/0), Sporting Kansas City (14/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €200,000

Notes: Developed by Chicago Fire. Played for United States (2/0) at youth levels.

MIDFIELD

Calvin Harris, 26

England

Notable Clubs: FC Cincinnati (24/1), Colorado Rapids (77/10), Sporting Kansas City (25/4)

Estimated Transfer Value: €800,000

Notes: Developed by Hong Kong FC and Wellington Phoenix. Played his university football for Wake Forest (32/10).

Kwaku Agyabeng, 20

Ghana

Notable Clubs: Sporting Kansas City (17/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €250,000

Notes: Developed by CSA Bergen. Played his university football for Clemson (16/1).

Lasse Johnsen, 27

Norway (3/0)

Notable Clubs: Viking (2/0), Raufoss (29/0), Randers (79/4), Malmo (63/5), Sporting Kansas City (22/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €3M

Notes: Developed by Forus & Gausel and Viking. Won a Norwegian Cup with Viking. Won a Danish Cup with Randers. Won 2x Swedish league championships and a Swedish Cup with Malmo.

Andre Luiz, 24

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Flemengo (9/1), Estrela da Amadora (38/5), Rio Ave (35/8), Olympiacos (8/0), Sporting Kansas City (5/4)

Estimated Transfer Value: €15M

Notes: Full name: Andre Luiz Inacio da Silva. Developed by Madureira, America-RJ, and Flamengo.

FORWARD

Stephen Afrifa, 25

Canada (2/0)

Notable Clubs: Sporting Kansas City (58/7)

Estimated Transfer Value: €500,000

Notes: Developed by Rexdale SC and Woodbridge Strikers. Played his university football for Florida International (63/23). 

Taylor Calheira, 24

United States

Notable Clubs: FC Tulsa (28/15), Sporting Kansas City (18/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €500,000

Notes: Played his university football for Maryland Baltimore County (61/32).

Familiar Faces

Kansas City defender Ethan Bartlow is a Woodinville, Washington native. Bartlow played for Crossfire Premier from 2015-18 and played his university football for Washington (38/6).

Kansas City goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland played for Sounders FC (29/0) from 2020-2023.

Kansas City Coach Dominic Kinnear played for the Sounders in 1995 (6/2) during the Sounders’ APSL-era.

Squads

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Anchor, Gomez Andrade, Hawkins, Kim, Kossa-Rienzi, Lopez, Nouhou, Alex, Ragen, Sailor, Gomez, Kingston, Clark, Cristian, Rusnak, Arriola, Ferreira, Morris, Musovski.

Note: Joveljic (Serbia) and Brunell (United States U-20) are unavailable for selection for this match as they have been selected to their national team squads.

Kansas City from:

Cleveland, Pulskamp, Kortkamp, James, Reynolds, Miller, Karic, Meyer, Jayden Reid, Johnsen, Bartlett, Agyabeng, Bassong, Wolff, Andre Luiz, Harris, Afrifa, Calheira, Seymour Reid, Suleymanov.

Note: Ramos (United States U-20) is on national team duty.

Injury List

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

Sounders FC -

OUT: Rothrock (hamstring), De la Vega (quadriceps), Petkovic (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: Ferreira (hamstring).

Kansas City -

OUT: Blorian (chest), Borges (adductor), Mosquera (hamstring), Capemba (hamstring), Davis (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: Wolff (quadriceps).

Discipline

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

Sounders FC: Dotson is suspended for accumulated bookings and will serve a one-match ban on Thursday night. Kingston is out next match if booked.

Kansas City: No players suspended. Bassong out next match if booked.

Fun Fact

Jordan Morris scored his 73rd league goal for Sounders FC against the Loons last Sat, breaking the previous club record that had been set by Raul Ruidiaz. Well done, Jordan! (Per Sounders FC Communications)