Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Sporting Park (also referred to as Children’s Mercy Park), Kansas City, Kansas
Broadcast: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass); local radio on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM
This Western Conference rivalry match features a Real Salt Lake side still mathematically alive in the playoff race against a Sporting Kansas City team already eliminated from postseason contention. RSL sits five points below the playoff line with five games left and seeks to end a long road winless streak, while SKC aims to close the season on a positive note at home.
Venue and Kickoff Details
Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, hosts the contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time (CT). The match streams on Apple TV.
Current Weather Forecast (Kansas City / Sporting Park area)
Expect sunny skies with a high near 58–59°F (14–15°C) and a low around 36–39°F. Light and variable winds. Possible early frost or patchy frost in the morning, clearing to a cool, crisp, and dry afternoon/evening. Ideal clear conditions for late-season play.
Injury and Suspension Reports
Sporting Kansas City:
Lasse Berg Johnsen (hamstring) – Out
Or Blorian (chest) – Out
Diego Borges (adductor) – Out
Moises Mosquera (hamstring) – Out
Justin Reynolds (quad) – Out
Owen Wolff (quad) – Out
Jake Davis and Capita Capemba recently returned to availability.
Real Salt Lake:
Luc de Fougerolles (lower body) – Out (exited midweek match after scoring)
Juan Jose Arias (hamstring) – Out
Emeka Eneli (knee) – Out
Lukas Engel (hamstring) – Out
Justen Glad (adductor) – Out
Diego Luna (knee) – Out (season-ending)
Core attackers Sergi Solans and others remain available.
Current Player Rosters and Predicted Lineups
Sporting Kansas City (often 4-4-2 or similar):
GK: Stefan Cleveland
Defense: Erik Karić / Ian James, Wyatt Meyer, Jansen Miller, others
Midfield: Calvin Harris, Kwaku Agyabeng, Zorhan Bassong, André Luiz
Attack: Stephen Afrifa / Taylor Calheira or similar Key available players: Cleveland, Harris (goals and creation), André Luiz (recent scoring form), and returning options like Davis.
Real Salt Lake (typically 3-4-2-1 or 5-4-1 variants):
GK: Rafael Cabral
Defense: Kobi Henry, Philip Quinton, DeAndre Yedlin / others
Midfield: Noel Caliskan, Stijn Spierings, Juan Manuel Sanabria, Dominik Marczuk
Attack: Morgan Guilavogui, Sergi Solans, support options Key available players: Cabral, Solans (11 goals, team leader), Sanabria (assists), Guilavogui, and Caliskan.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Sergi Solans (RSL, 11 goals) vs. SKC’s center backs (Meyer/Miller) and Cleveland: Solans is RSL’s primary scoring threat and will test a leaky SKC defense.
André Luiz / Calvin Harris (SKC) vs. RSL midfield and back line: André Luiz has been productive in limited minutes; Harris provides creation and goals.
Juan Manuel Sanabria / creators (RSL) vs. SKC midfield: Service to Solans and Guilavogui will be key on the road.
Rafael Cabral (RSL) vs. SKC’s finishing: The veteran keeper faces a high-volume home attack.
Morgan Guilavogui (RSL) vs. SKC wide defenders: Adds creativity and secondary scoring.
Recent Team Forms
Sporting Kansas City: Eliminated from playoffs after a 4-0 loss at Nashville midweek. Have shown improved home scoring (three goals in three straight home games recently) but own the league’s worst goal difference and defensive record. Looking to finish the year with pride.
Real Salt Lake: Dropped points in a 1-1 home draw with San Jose after a late equalizer (Luc de Fougerolles scored before exiting injured). Road form is poor (longest winless and losing streaks in MLS this season). Still pushing for a playoff spot and unbeaten in recent meetings with SKC.
Series History
Real Salt Lake holds a clear all-time edge (approximately 20-12-10 or similar in regular-season meetings). RSL is unbeaten in its last five against SKC and won the 2026 first meeting 3-1 at home (goals from Luna, Solans, and Gozo). SKC’s home record in the series is more competitive historically, but recent form favors the visitors.
Betting Trends
RSL is a slight favorite despite being on the road, reflecting superior standings and recent H2H dominance. The higher total accounts for SKC’s defensive issues and both teams’ ability to score in open games.
RSL’s need for points and historical edge make them favorites, but SKC’s home scoring uptick and RSL’s road struggles ensure competitiveness. Monitor final lineups closely given the extensive injury lists on both sides (especially de Fougerolles for RSL and the defensive absences for SKC). This rivalry clash offers playoff implications for one side and pride for the other in a cool autumn evening at Sporting Park.
MATCH ODDS
Real Salt Lake + 129
Sporting Kansas City + 190
Draw + 295
Over 3.5 + 108 Under 3.5 – 140
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 16, 2026
