Sporting Kansas City Aims for Momentum Against New York Red Bulls

After a challenging start to the season, Sporting Kansas City is looking to leverage a rare winning streak as they prepare to face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday in an interconference matchup.

Kansas City (3-8-2, 11 points) heads into the game fresh off consecutive victories against the Los Angeles Galaxy and Austin FC.

As both teams gear up for a nearly two-month World Cup break, Saturday night at Sporting Park offers an opportunity for head coach Raphael Wicky’s squad to build on their recent successes.

“It does feel good to have had good results but also good performances,” Wicky said. “I think it was a really good two games and I’m happy for everyone. What I want to see (on Saturday) is the same attitude, the same mentality, the same mindset and obviously a good performance. We have to keep working hard in order to close the first part of the season on a positive.”

Despite the recent wins, Kansas City remains at the bottom of the Western Conference and has the league’s worst goal differential at minus-21.

Dejan Joveljic is the standout player for Sporting, leading the team with six goals.

On the other hand, New York (5-5-4, 19 points) is aiming to extend its unbeaten streak to four matches (2-0-1). The Red Bulls are also hitting their stride and hope to enter the break with another win.

“It’s a unique situation this summer with the World Cup and an extended break,” head coach Michael Bradley said. “We spoke to the group and really emphasized that we need to finish the first part of the season in the strongest possible way on Saturday night in Kansas City. And then the players are going to get some well-earned and much-deserved time off to recharge and reset, mentally and physically.”

Third-year player Julian Hall has emerged as a key contributor for New York, leading the team with nine goals. Additionally, offseason acquisition Jorge Ruvalcaba has contributed five goals since joining the club in February.