Sporting KC

Eleven significant moments in Sporting KC’s 2025 campaign so far

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Sporting KC's 2025 campaign includes several key moments that have shaped their journey. The club broke a long losing streak with a dramatic comeback against Minnesota United, rallying from three goals down to draw 3-3 in the snow.

A significant shift came when Sporting won its first game after the departure of longtime manager Peter Vermes, defeating rival St. Louis under interim coach Kerry Zavagnin. The season also saw a change in goalkeepers, as John Pulskamp stepped in to replace club legend Tim Melia. Major signings like striker Dejan Joveljic and designated player Manu Garcia signaled Sporting's intent to refresh its attack and redefine its path.

Sporting Kansas City forward Khiry Shelton (11) controls the ball in front of New York Red Bulls defender Cameron Harper (17) during the first half at Red Bull Arena on Sept. 7, 2024. By Vincent Carchietta

NO. 1: SPORTING KC WAS MOMENTS FROM AN IMPRESSIVE ROAD WIN. THEN ... AN EQUALIZER & RED CARD

Take a look back at Sporting KC’s match against the New York Red Bulls. | Published September 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell sits on the ground as Sounders midfielder Reed Baker-Whiting is issued a yellow card during Sunday evening’s match at Lumen Field in Seattle. By Steven Bisig

NO. 2: HELD SCORELESS IN SEATTLE, SPORTING KANSAS CITY FALLS 2-0 TO STINGY SOUNDERS

Here’s the story of Sporting KC’s Sunday evening soccer match against the Sounders in Seattle. | Published September 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City captain Johnny Russell was down on the pitch after being fouled by LAFC forward David Martínez during Saturday night’s MLS match at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 3: LAFC HOLDS HOSTS SCORELESS IN SPORTING KC’S PENULTIMATE MLS MATCH OF 2024 SEASON

After Saturday’s match, Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes vowed the 2025 season will be different than 2024. | Published October 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp (1) warms up prior to a match against Toluca at Children’s Mercy Park on Aug. 4, 2023. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 4: ‘HE’S OUR NO. 1’: SPORTING KANSAS CITY HAS A NEW GOALKEEPER. HE’S REPLACING A CLUB LEGEND

Peter Vermes wasted no time in declaring John Pulskamp Sporting KC’s No. 1 goalkeeper. Here’s what you need to know about him. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes speaks during media day at Children’s Mercy Park on Feb. 27, 2024. By Denny Medley

NO. 5: SPORTING KC ADDS FIREPOWER — INCLUDING NEW DESIGNATED PLAYER — IN REPORTED $5 MILLION DEAL

Manu Garcia and Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov are joining Sporting Kansas City in a deal announced Monday. | Published February 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi smiles during player introductions ahead of a CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer match against Sporting KC on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. By Dominick Williams

NO. 6: LIONEL MESSI SCORES AS INTER MIAMI DEFEATS SPORTING KC IN RECORD COLD TEMPERATURES

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has now scored twice against Sporting KC, once at Arrowhead and once at Children’s Mercy Park. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi tackles the ball away from Sporting KC’s Memo Rodriguez in the first half of the Concacaf Champions Cup match on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Sporting Park. Messi scored the lone goal of the match. By Dominick Williams

NO. 7: LIONEL MESSI SCORES IN KC, BUT THIS SPORTING SEASON RESTS ON SOMETHING WE DIDN’T SEE

This year’s Lionel Messi visit to KC wasn’t about him. It’s about what’s next for Sporting Kansas City. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Sporting Kansas City forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammate Shapi Suleymanov (93) in the second half against Minnesota United at Children’s Mercy Park on March 15, 2025. By Peter Aiken

NO. 8: SPORTING KC BREAKS 10-MATCH LOSING STREAK WITH DRAMATIC COMEBACK FROM 3-0 DOWN

Sporting Kansas City was on its way to another loss. Three goals in 12 minutes flipped the match on its head. | Published March 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City forward Dejan Joveljic (9) reacts after scoring his second goal against St. Louis City in the second half at Children’s Mercy Park on April 5, 2025. By Peter Aiken

NO. 9: SPORTING KC WINS 1ST GAME OF THE POST-VERMES ERA, A RIVALRY MATCH VS. ST. LOUIS

The streak is finally over. Sporting Kansas City earned its first win since September 2024. | Published April 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Santos Laguna forward Santiago Munoz (19) reacts after converting on a penalty kick against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 4, 2024. By Dale Zanine

NO. 10: SPORTING KANSAS CITY ADDS STRIKER FROM LIGA MX AHEAD OF TRANSFER DEADLINE

Sporting KC has made a move to bolster its attack. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp (1) holds the ball against FC Cincinnati in the second half at TQL Stadium on April 26, 2025. By Katie Stratman

NO. 11: SPORTING KC COMPETED WITH CINCINNATI, UNTIL THIS STUNNING GOAL CHANGED THE GAME

Was this the goal of the year in MLS? | Published April 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.