Sporting KC hope reinforcements spark turnaround against St. Louis City

Sporting Kansas City hope new faces can improve their Western Conference-worst standing as they resume their 2026 MLS season against host St. Louis City on Thursday night.

Sporting KC (3-9-2, 11 points) has added defenders Emir Karic and Moises Mosquera, amid a vow from majority owner Peter Mallouk to make a substantial investment to improve the club's fortunes.

A Kansas native, raised in the Kansas City area and the son of Egyptian immigrants, Mallouk may have his eyes on a bigger prize. Kansas City is reported to be the "top MLS suitor" -- albeit a "longshot" -- for Egypt international and former Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah. Whether or not it materializes, the players already acquired can set the team up for success, said Sporting KC head coach Raphael Wicky.

"I know that these players will make us better. I'm 100% convinced of that," Wicky said.

Adding to the stakes of Thursday's match is the rivalry aspect, with the Midwestern foes separated by about four hours on Interstate 70.

"We've had a few meetings and spoke about the rivalry, the importance, and I think that gave the players, the ones who are not from here, a good picture," Wicky said.

After just one win in its first 10 regular-season matches, St. Louis (4-6-4, 16 points) went into the World Cup break with a 3-0-1 mark, allowing just two goals in that span.

"Now, we want to start really strong (in) the second part of the season," St. Louis head coach Yoann Damet said. "So it's more that mindset of like, ‘OK, we need to start on the front foot and see what we can do, if we can pick it up like where we left it.'"

Midfielder Tomas Ostrak, whose last appearance was in a U.S. Open Cup match on April 15, is ready to be integrated into the team after injury, Damet said.

"He's been training really well for the past five weeks. I've been really happy with what I've seen," he said. "For someone that hasn't been involved for the first five months, he's in a good place."

St. Louis midfielder Chris Durkin (yellow-card accumulation) is suspended for Thursday's match.

Sporting Kansas City leads the all-time series 4-3-3, including playoffs, but St. Louis has a 3-1-1 edge at home. Kansas City went unbeaten against St. Louis in 2025, winning 2-0 at home on April 5 before a 2-2 road draw on May 14.

--Field Level Media