By Sam Kovzan – SportingKC.com
Sporting Kansas City (3-7-1, 10 points) moved within five points of the playoff line in the Western Conference following a gritty 1-0 home victory over the winless LA Galaxy (0-8-3, 3 points) on Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park.
Finding the back of the net on an own goal from LA defender Maya Yoshida in the 13th minute, Sporting notably became the first team in MLS history to win a match without recording a shot. The Galaxy held an 11-0 advantage on shots but put only one attempt on target as Sporting secured a deserved shutout—and the team’s first 1-0 triumph since September 2023—behind commanding displays from goalkeeper John Pulskamp and center backs Jansen Miller and Robert Voloder.
Winners in three of five matches since the start of April, 12th-place Sporting has leapfrogged rival St. Louis City SC in the Western Conference table entering next Saturday’s daunting road fixture against the third-place Portland Timbers (5-3-3, 18 points). Kickoff at Providence Park is slated for 9:30 p.m. CT with live coverage on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Sporting KC interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin made one change to his starting lineup from last weekend’s 2-1 loss at FC Cincinnati as right back Andrew Brody earned his first start for the club in place of the injured Khiry Shelton. Brody, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday, logged his 100th career MLS start after recording an assist last Saturday in Cincinnati as a late substitute in his return from a seven-match absence due to a quad ailment.
Abundant sunshine and 69-degree temperatures made for perfect playing conditions on Sunday, but clearcut chances were at a premium on both ends of the pitch. The game was decided after 13 minutes when Sporting captain Daniel Salloi received a clever pass from Nemanja Radoja inside the penalty area and fizzed a low ball across the face of goal. The delivery caught Yoshida flatfooted and the Japanese center back inadvertently steered the ball into his own net, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead they would not relinquish.
LA gradually gained a foothold in the contest and Sporting’s resolve was tested at the half-hour mark when left back Logan Ndenbe was forced to exit with an injury, summoning replacement Tim Leibold for his 50th career regular season appearance. The Galaxy then went close to equalizing just before halftime, but John Nelson’s side-footed effort near the penalty spot was saved by an outstretched Pulskamp.
The visitors threatened again in the 55th minute, but Voloder did brilliantly to repel a low cross from the left wing before veteran midfielder Diego Fagundez skied his shot wayward at the top of the box. A quarter-hour later, Galaxy playmaker Marco Reus whipped a tantalizing free kick to the far post that Pulskamp did superbly to punch out of danger.
Reus then spurned LA’s final scoring chance deep into second-half stoppage time, sending his 22-yard free kick onto the frame of the crossbar and out of play for a goal kick. With the 1-0 result in his pocket, Pulskamp moved into a tie for seventh in club regular season history in both shutouts (eight) and wins (12).
2025 MLS Regular Season | Match 11
Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, Kansas
Attendance: 17,902
Weather: 69 degrees and sunny
Sporting Kansas City 1-0 LA Galaxy
| Score | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting Kansas City (3-7-1, 10 points) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| LA Galaxy (0-8-3, 3 points) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sporting Kansas City: John Pulskamp; Andrew Brody (Jake Davis 46′), Jansen Miller, Robert Voloder, Logan Ndenbe (Tim Leibold 31′); Jacob Bartlett (Zorhan Bassong 59′), Manu Garcia (Memo Rodriguez 84′), Nemanja Radoja; Shapi Suleymanov (Erik Thommy 59′), Dejan Joveljic, Daniel Salloi (C)
Subs Not Used: Ryan Schewe, Dany Rosero, Stephen Afrifa, Santiago Munoz
LA Galay: John McCarthy; Miki Yamane, Carlos Garces, Maya Yoshida (C), John Nelson (Julian Aude 75′); Edwin Cerrillo, Marco Reus, Diego Fagundez; Gabriel Pec (Mauricio Cuevas 74′), Christian Ramirez (Miguel Berry 63′), Joseph Paintsil (Matheus Nascimento 75′)
Subs Not Used: Novak Micovic, Zanka, Tucker Lepley, Isaiah Parente, Lucas Sanabria
Scoring Summary:
SKC — Own Goal (Maya Yoshida) 13′
Misconduct Summary:
LA — John Paintstil (yellow card; simulation) 38′
SKC — Tim Leibold (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 42′
LA — Carlos Garces (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 45+2′
Match Statistics
| STAT | SKC | LA |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 7 | 8 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
| Corner Kicks | 1 | 12 |
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referee: Cameron Blanchard
Assistant Referee: Nick Balcer
Fourth Official: Alexis Da Silva
VAR: Michael Radchuk
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
