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Major League SoccerSeason 2025

Real Salt Lake vs Sporting Kansas City

14 September 2025 at 02:30Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy

Match Summary

Real Salt Lake defeated Sporting Kansas City 2:1. The match was played in Major League Soccer 2025. Goals were scored by D. Luna 40′, A. Katranis 62′, B. Vera 71′ (o.g.). 2 yellow cards were shown. Real Salt Lake had 49% possession while Sporting Kansas City held 51%. Real Salt Lake had 17 shots (7 on target) compared to 12 (3 on target) for Sporting Kansas City. Expected goals: Real Salt Lake 1.46 — Sporting Kansas City 0.85. Real Salt Lake made 4 substitutions, Sporting Kansas City made 5.

Match Events

Key match events between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City — 3 goals and 2 cards recorded during the match.

Match Statistics

Real Salt Lake had 49% possession against Sporting Kansas City's 51%. Real Salt Lake registered 17 shots (7 on target) while Sporting Kansas City managed 12 (3 on target). Corner kicks: 4–3. Fouls committed: 16–7.

Shots on Goal
7
3
Shots Off Goal
6
6
Total Shots
17
12
Blocked Shots
4
3
Shots inside the Box
7
7
Shots outside the Box
10
5
Fouls
16
7
Corner Kicks
4
3
Offsides
1
3
Ball Possession
49%
51%
Yellow Cards
1
1
Red Cards
0
0
Goalkeeper Saves
3
5
Total Passes
413
438
Accurate Passes
348
363
Pass Accuracy
84%
83%
Expected Goals (xG)
1.46
0.85
Goals Prevented (xGP)
0
0

Lineups

Real Salt Lake lined up in a 4-4-2 formation under Pablo Andrés Mastroeni, while Sporting Kansas City deployed a 4-3-3 under Kerry Zavagnin.

Squad Ratings

The overall squad rating for Real Salt Lake is 7.05, compared to 6.64 for Sporting Kansas City. 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. Real Salt Lake's highest-rated starter is D. Luna (7.43), while Sporting Kansas City's best-rated player is D. Joveljic (6.91).

Attacking Output

The starting XI of Real Salt Lake have contributed 11 goals and 8 assists this season, led by Z. Gozo (6G). Sporting Kansas City's starters account for 8 goals and 3 assists, spearheaded by D. Joveljic (6G). Goals reflect clinical finishing and chance creation, while assists highlight the ability to unlock defences through through-balls, crosses, and set pieces.

Defensive Solidity

Real Salt Lake deploy 4 defenders rated 6.90 on average, against Sporting Kansas City's 4-man backline averaging 6.74. 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

Real Salt Lake field 4 midfielders averaging 7.41, versus Sporting Kansas City's 3 rated 6.54. 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

Real Salt Lake start 2 forward(s) averaging 6.62, compared to 3 for Sporting Kansas City averaging 6.82. 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 79% for Real Salt Lake and 80% for Sporting Kansas City. 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

Real Salt Lake's starters have collected 11 yellow cards this season, compared to 8 for Sporting Kansas City. 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 Real Salt Lake's starting XI is 25.9 (youngest: Z. Gozo (18), oldest: Rafael Cabral (35)), while Sporting Kansas City average 23.7 (youngest: J. Bartlett (20), oldest: S. Suleymanov (26)). 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

Real Salt Lake's starters average 11 league appearances each, versus 12 for Sporting Kansas City. 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.

Real Salt Lake4-4-24-3-3Sporting Kansas City
GKDEFMIDFWD
1Cabral92Caliskan15Glad4Vera98Katranis72Gozo6Ojeda14Eneli8Luna12Cruz17Olatunji1Pulskamp11Shelton15Miller24Fernand.18Ndenbe17Davis16Bartlett6Radoja93Suleyma.9Joveljic10Salloi

Substitutes

Coach: Pablo Andrés Mastroeni

Substitutes

Coach: Kerry Zavagnin

Real Salt LakePosition StrengthSporting Kansas City
7.05
Avg Rating
6.64
7.20Goalkeeper (1 v 1)6.39
0G 0A0G 0A
6.90Defender (4 v 4)6.74
0G 3A0G 0A
7.41Midfielder (4 v 3)6.54
10G 5A1G 1A
6.62Forward (2 v 3)6.82
1G 0A7G 2A
Real Salt Lake4-4-2
1GoalkeeperRafael Cabral7.2
92DefenderN. Caliskan7.22A
15DefenderJ. Glad6.81A
4DefenderB. Vera
98DefenderA. Katranis6.6
72MidfielderZ. Gozo7.46G4A
6MidfielderB. Ojeda
14MidfielderE. Eneli
8MidfielderD. Luna7.44G1A
12ForwardRwan Cruz
17ForwardV. Olatunji6.61G
Sporting Kansas City4-3-3
1GoalkeeperJ. Pulskamp6.4
11DefenderK. Shelton
15DefenderJ. Miller6.7
24DefenderJ. Fernandez
18DefenderL. Ndenbe
17MidfielderJ. Davis6.41A
16MidfielderJ. Bartlett6.61G
6MidfielderN. Radoja
93ForwardS. Suleymanov6.71G1A
9ForwardD. Joveljic6.96G1A
10ForwardD. Salloi

Rivalry since 2012

Real Salt Lake vs Sporting Kansas City Head to Head Results· 34

Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City have met 34 times — Real Salt Lake won 15, Sporting Kansas City won 10, with 9 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2012. Real Salt Lake leads the head-to-head with 15 victories from 34 meetings. A combined 95 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.79 per match (50 for the home side, 45 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 21 matches (62%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 19 games (56%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Real Salt Lake are currently unbeaten in the last 4 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 3–4 in 2024.

Total goals
95 · 2.8/match
Both scored
21/34 · 62%
Over 2.5
19/34 · 56%

Recent Meetings

08/02/23Friendlies Clubs
Match Details
Highest-scoring game: 34 v 2024

Recent Form

WWonDDrawnLLost

In their last 6 matches, Real Salt Lake have recorded 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. Sporting Kansas City show 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses from their last 6 outings.

Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

API data: 11 May 2026