Sporting Kansas City will go out again in search of their first win in the 2025 MLS season against St Louis City at the Children Mercy Park this weekend with a new manager at the helm.
The hosts are rooted to the bottom of the standings with one point after six fixtures, while the visitors occupy the ninth position of the Western Conference after claiming eight points from the same number of matches.
Match preview
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Sporting Kansas's dismal start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat against Dallas in their last MLS outing, leaving the wizards without a win across six MLS matches.
In their first six encounters of the season, the hosts lost all but one fixture, which ended in a 3-3 draw against Minnesota United on matchday four.
Their abysmal start to the season ultimately brought an end to the 16-year trophy-laden reign of Peter Vermes, paving the way for the appointment of Kerry Zavagnin on an interim basis on March 31, 2025.
With Zavagnin leading out the Kansas-based outfit for the first time this weekend, he will be most concerned about addressing the defensive frailties of his team, which has seen them breached 12 times in the current campaign.
Although the hosts have found the back of the net six times this term, the Wizards will have to better their one goal per game average if they are to arrest the slump.
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Having finished 12th in the regular season last term, St Louis began their 2025 season unbeaten across four matches with two wins and a couple of draws.
However, their impressive start to the season suffered a dent with back-to-back losses in the league, the latest being a 1-0 defeat against Austin FC at home.
While they have struggled in attack after only four goals scored so far, the visitors have been impressive at the back, with two goals conceded in six fixtures.
After amassing eight points from six fixtures, Olof Mellberg's team are currently ninth in the standings in the West.
Despite their struggles up front, the visitors will head into the contest in a confident mood, having plundered seven goals in their last three meetings, the last of which ended in a 3-1 win for the visitors on September 29.
Team News
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The hosts have a few injuries to worry about ahead of this fixture, meaning Zavagnin will be spoilt for choices.
Andrew Brody remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury, while Joaquin Fernandez is a doubt for this fixture due to a back problem.
On the contrary, the visitors will go into this fixture with a depleted squad, with several players on the sidelines.
Rasmus Alm is out with a hip injury, and he is not expected to be named in the travelling squad to Kansas.
Similarly, Jake Max Girdwood-Reich is out with an ankle injury, while Cedric Teuchert (hamstring), Jayden Reid (foot) and Tomas Totland (muscle) are not expected to be considered for selection.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Pulskamp; Shelton, Miller, Rosero, Ndenbe; Davis, Bartlett, Garcia; Suleymanov, Joveljic, Salloi
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Lundt; Nilsson, Kessler, Horn, Hiebert, Yaro; Hartel, Morales, Durkin, Wallem; Becher
We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-1 St Louis City
Sporting Kansas have struggled for consistency this season, and they will be desperate to get off the mark this weekend, while the visitors will be looking to get back to winning ways. However, we predict that both sides will play out a 1-1 draw.
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