LAFC Road Test at Sporting Kansas City: What Black & Gold Fans Need to Know

Can LAFC Bounce Back on the Road?

LAFC heads to Kansas City looking to put an end to a two-game regular season losing streak — and there's reason to believe they can. Despite recent setbacks, the team has controlled possession and created chances and now count with Cengiz Ünder, on loan from Fenerbahce (TUR).

The big question: can they turn that control into goals, or even better scoring chances?

Sporting Kansas City vs. LAFC - Recent Form Check

The Black & Gold are coming off a 1-0 home loss to Austin FC and a tough 2-1 defeat at Columbus in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. While the results sting, LAFC had 66% possession against Austin and looked sharper but Under, Bouanga (who will miss the game today) were not on target.

Sporting KC, meanwhile, remains winless through four MLS matches (0W, 3L, 1D) while being eliminated by Inter Miami in continental play. Nonetheless, Peter Vermes's team played to a wild 3-3 draw with Minnesota United last week despite dominating possession and won't be missing many key players as LAFC will be.

Head-to-Head Edge: Advantage LAFC

History favors the visitors. LAFC won the last two matchups, including a dominant 3-0 victory in Kansas City but on the road in MLS is always an unknown. In the last 10 meetings, however, LAFC holds a 6-2-2 record against Sporting KC.

Why Both Teams to Score Is an Easy Bet

• Sporting has seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 league matches
• At home, 15 of their last 19 have hit BTTS
• LAFC has seen BTTS land in 6 of their last 10 away

With LAFC’s fluid attack — led by Martinez, Ebobisse, and Ünder — and Sporting’s porous backline, we’re leaning toward both teams finding the net.

Picks for Sporting Kansas City vs LAFC

Primary Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes (-163)
Sporting leaks goals, and LAFC has too much firepower not to get on the board.

Scoreline Play: LAFC 1-2 Sporting KC (+750)
If you’re feeling like hedging today, consider a 2-1 KC upset. It’s a risk, but the Black & Gold have looked shaky at the back and with Bouanga missing, this could easily be a W for SKC at home. MLS points away come at a very high premium.

Predicted Starting XI

LAFC (4-3-3): Lloris – Palencia, Tafari, Long, Hollingshead – Tillman, Igor Jesus, Delgado – Ünder, Ebobisse, Yeboah
Sporting KC (4-2-3-1): Pulskamp – Davis, Miller, Voloder, Ndenbe – Rodríguez, Radoja – Suleymanov, García, Thommy, Joveljic

Injury Notes

Out for LAFC: Marlon (leg), Denis Bouanga (international duty), Olivier Giroud (leg), Lorenzo Dellavalle (knee)
Sporting KC: Ian James (international), Andrew Brody (muscle), Daniel Rosero (ankle)

Final Take

Saturday's matchup has all the makings of a goal-heavy affair. Sporting will push for their first win, but LAFC needs to take back control of their MLS regular season, so expect pressing from Cherundolo's 11, trying to tighten things up in the final third.