Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM CT (8:30 PM ET)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
Broadcast: Apple TV
Venue & Match Context
The game returns to Children’s Mercy Park (capacity ~21,650), Sporting Kansas City’s home since 2011. This marks the first 2026 meeting between the sides. San Jose arrives as one of the Western Conference’s hottest teams with a near-perfect record and stingy defense, while SKC hosts desperate for points after a dismal start and significant defensive injuries. A classic “hot road favorite vs. struggling home underdog” dynamic in a venue known for passionate crowds and occasional high-scoring nights.
Weather Update
Mild early-spring evening conditions in Kansas City with kickoff temperatures around 58–63°F (14–17°C), cooling into the low-to-mid 50s°F by full time. Partly cloudy skies with light winds (5–10 mph from the west/southwest), humidity ~65–75%, and a low-to-moderate chance of isolated light showers (20–35% probability, mainly pre-kickoff). No major disruptions expected—the firm pitch and comfortable temps should support a competitive, transitional match.
Team Records & Standings Snapshot
Sporting Kansas City (1-4-1, 4 pts): Near the bottom of the Western Conference (~13th–14th). They have struggled mightily defensively (high GA) and are winless in recent stretches despite occasional flashes.
San Jose Earthquakes (5-1-0, 15 pts): 3rd in the Western Conference (and among the league leaders overall). Boasting the league’s best (or near-best) goal difference early (+9) and a rock-solid defense (just 1 GA in 6 games).
Recent Team Forms
Sporting Kansas City (last 5–6 MLS results, most recent first): L-L-W-L-D-L
Recent: 3-1 loss at Real Salt Lake (Apr 4), 1-4 home loss vs. Colorado Rapids (Mar 21), 1-2 loss at LA Galaxy (Mar 14), and a 0-1 home loss vs. San Diego FC (Mar 7). They have scored sparingly and conceded heavily.
San Jose Earthquakes (last 5–6 MLS results, most recent first): W-W-L-W-W-W (dominant stretch)
Recent highlights: 3-0 win vs. San Diego FC (Apr 4), 1-0 road win at Vancouver Whitecaps (Mar 21), plus earlier victories including a shutout of Philadelphia Union. They are unbeaten in five of their last six and have kept multiple clean sheets.
Injury Report
Sporting Kansas City
OUT: Stefan Cleveland (ankle), Ryan Schewe (hand), Wyatt Meyer (ankle), Jayden Reid (ankle)
Goalkeeping and defensive depth is severely depleted—multiple back-line absences will force reshuffling and likely expose the unit further.
San Jose Earthquakes
OUT: Vitor Costa (lower body), Dejuan Jones (lower body)
QUESTIONABLE: Timo Werner (lower body)
Defensive depth is tested, but the core attacking group and goalkeeper remain available. San Jose’s squad rotation has held up well despite the absences.
Key Player Matchups
San Jose Attack vs. SKC Defense: San Jose’s efficient front line (low GA but clinical finishing) tests an SKC back line already missing multiple starters and conceding at a league-worst pace. Transitions and set pieces could be decisive.
SKC Counter vs. San Jose Midfield/Defense: Any remaining SKC attackers look to exploit gaps, but San Jose’s organized structure and low concession rate (1 GA total) make breakthroughs difficult.
Goalkeeping & Discipline: SKC’s makeshift keeper situation vs. San Jose’s steady shot-stopper—expect SKC to face high pressure while San Jose controls tempo and limits chances.
Series History
All-time (~30+ meetings): Roughly even historically, but recent H2H have favored the side in better form. Four of the last five encounters featured Over 2.5 goals or BTTS when played at Children’s Mercy Park. San Jose has been competitive on the road in this fixture in stretches, though SKC has had home success in the past.
Betting Trends
San Jose is 5-1-0 overall with the league’s stingiest defense and has covered spreads reliably even on the road.
SKC is 1-4-1 and winless in four of their last five, with the worst defensive record in the West (conceding freely at home).
Recent H2H average ~2.8 goals; however, San Jose’s current matches trend Under 2.5 with multiple clean sheets. SKC fails to cover at home against top-table visitors.
MATCH ODDS
San Jose Earthquakes – 115
Sporting Kansas City + 255
Draw + 285
Over 3.5 + 115 Under 3.5 – 150
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 10, 2026
