Sporting Kansas City begins its 31st Major League Soccer season this Saturday, traveling to California to face the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT and will be streamed on Apple TV, with local radio coverage available on Sports Radio 810 WHB.
A New Era for Sporting Kansas City
The 2026 season marks a significant turning point for Sporting Kansas City following a disappointing 2025 campaign that resulted in 13 player departures. The club has ushered in a new leadership team comprised of President of Soccer Operations & General Manager David Lee and head coach Raphael Wicky.
Historical Performance and Recent Matchups
Sporting Kansas City boasts a strong record in season openers, leading MLS with 15 all-time Week 1 wins, posting a 15-10-5 record. Though, their recent form in season openers is 3-5-2 over the last 10 years. Last season, Sporting fell to San Jose 2-1 in their home opener on March 1, 2025, despite a goal from Dejan Joveljic. On their previous visit to the Bay Area on April 19, 2025, Sporting secured a 5-3 victory.
Roster Overhaul and New Additions
Under the direction of David Lee, Sporting Kansas City has significantly revamped its roster this offseason, adding 10 players including Stefan Cleveland, Kwaku Agyabeng, Justin Reynolds, Calvin Harris, Wyatt Meyer, Jayden Reid, Lasse Berg Johnsen, Taylor Calheira, and Ethan Bartlow. Up to nine newcomers could potentially make their debuts this weekend, with Lasse Berg Johnsen awaiting his P1 visa.
Key Players Return
Designated Players Manu Garcia and Dejan Joveljic are set to return for their second season with the club. Joveljic finished fifth in the Golden Boot rankings in 2025 with 18 goals, tying Preki for the second most goals in a single regular season in club history.
All-Time Series Record
Sporting Kansas City holds the overall advantage in the regular-season series against the San Jose Earthquakes, with a record of 33-27-10, though they have a 9-17-8 record on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sporting Kansas City’s record in season openers?
Sporting Kansas City leads MLS with 15 season-opening wins all-time, posting a 15-10-5 record in Week 1.
Who are the new leaders at Sporting Kansas City?
David Lee is the President of Soccer Operations & General Manager, and Raphael Wicky is the new head coach.
How many players have departed Sporting Kansas City this offseason?
To date, 13 players have departed the club.
As Sporting Kansas City embarks on this new chapter, what impact will the influx of new players and leadership have on their performance throughout the 2026 MLS season?
