How Sporting KC managed to secure an MLS draw against the mighty Seattle Sounders

To say all hope felt lost for Sporting KC after the visiting Seattle Sounders scored in the second minute of Saturday afternoon’s Major League Soccer match at Sporting Park?

Not an overstatement.

Which makes what transpired in the remaining 88 minutes plus stoppage time all the more admirable, or even remarkable:

Sporting KC, a winner just once this MLS season, managed to secure a 1-1 draw against the heavily favored Sounders (6-2-1).

“I think it was a great team effort,” Sporting KC head coach Raphael Wicky said. “I just told them, ‘Great team effort and great work from everyone.’ I think this is something to build (on).”

Here’s how it all went down for Sporting KC (1-2-7) on a sunny and mild Saturday afternoon at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas:

Sounders draw first blood with quick strike

Seattle’s Paul Rothrock hushed the home crowd with a goal in just the second minute of play.

Rothrock was wide-open when he received the pass — there was no Sporting KC player in the vicinity to stop him from knocking the ball past Kansas City goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland.

Fans could be forgiven at that point for wondering if the rout was on. After all, the Sounders rolled into KCK having won six games this year, while Sporting KC has been victorious just once.

Joveljic answers for the home team

Ah, but the hosts would soon counter that opening statement by Rothrock and the Sounders.

Striker Dejan Joveljic slotted home his team-leading fifth goal of the year, booting in an 18th-minute mistake by the Sounders in front of their own goal.

“I just started early running and hoping that he’s going to assist me, and I was right” Joveljic said of capitalizing on Seattle’s giveaway. “So I’m very happy. Unlucky for him, but I’m so happy because of it.”

Just like that, Wicky’s squad had new life.

“I think I saw some good football, some good actions, some playing up from the back, some accelerations,” said Wicky, who is in his first season as SKC’s coach. “Now can we have that more? Can we build confidence to have the ball then more and then to finish these actions more?”

A couple of footnotes about Joveljic’s goal, courtesy of the Sporting KC Communications X account: He’s now the only player with five or more MLS regular-season goals in each of the past five seasons (2022-26); and his goal Saturday snapped Seattle’s 420-minute road shutout streak (!) in regular-season matches.

Some solid play in goal by both clubs

Playing in place of John Pulskamp, Cleveland — a former Seattle Sounder — was otherwise solid as the match progressed.

The second half provided tense, thrilling soccer throughout. Both keepers, Cleveland and Seattle counterpart Andrew Thomas, made some heart-stopping saves after halftime.

“He did well,” Wicky said of Cleveland. “I think Stefan brought what I wanted him to bring, which is what he brings every day in training. His experience, his calmness, his decision-making was good. I think he had a few good saves. That’s what I wanted from him.”

With the type of season this club is having, Saturday’s draw felt ... well, while still not quite like a win, it no doubt felt far better than a loss.

The final stats favored Seattle, with the Sounders controlling 61% of possession and taking 27 shots, with nine on-target — they did keep Cleveland busy. Sporting had 39% possession and took 11 shots, seven of which were on goal.

“What a way to come back,” Joveljic said, still marveling at Saturday’s outcome. “Seattle is one of the best teams on the west side (of the MLS table) in the last five years. maybe.

Up next: Sporting KC hits the road next weekend, taking on the Timbers in Portland at 9:30 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, May 9.

This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 4:58 PM.