Sporting KC out to wreck San Diego FC's perfect start

San Diego FC will look to continue their sterling start to the 2026 campaign and build on a 180-minute stretch of being unscored on when they visit Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.

San Diego (2-0-0, 6 points) heads to Kansas City, Kan., following pair of shutout home victories, most recently a 2-0 win over St. Louis City on Sunday. SDFC opened the year with a 5-0 win over CF Montreal to pick right up where it left off in 2025 after it advanced to the Western Conference final in the team's expansion season.

Yes, SDFC's two victories this year came against opponents that ended up 13th in their respective conferences last season, but both were decisive.

Anders Dreyer and Marcus Ingvartsen had the goals for San Diego in the latest game, with each adding an assist on the other's tally.

Dreyer's effort on Sunday garnered him the honor of being the second-fastest player in MLS history to record 20 goals and 20 assists, reaching that milestone in 36 regular-season matches. He trails only Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi (26 matches).

Last year, Dreyer logged 38 goal contributions (19 goals, 19 assists) to tie the league record by a first-year player.

"It all starts, of course, with my teammates," Dreyer said of reaching the 20-20 mark. "They know where to find me, in the pocket or in behind, and then I'm also lucky that they kick it into the goal when they get the chance."

Sporting KC (0-1-1, 1 point) built some momentum with a 2-2 home draw against the Columbus Crew last Saturday following a 3-0 road loss to the San Jose Earthquakes in the season opener.

Dejan Joveljic scored both goals for Sporting in the draw, and goalkeeper John Pulskamp stopped a penalty kick with three minutes remaining in regulation to allow Kansas City to split the points.

"After just one game, somehow we grew up," Joveljic said.

After the win, Pulskamp was quick to credit is teammates for the work that led to his stop.

"If you look at the 35 minutes before (the clutch save), we were playing some of the best soccer, I think, that's been played in this stadium in a long time," Pulskamp said. "I think it's something like 80% of penalties are scored. They're a moment where the goalkeeper is really against the ropes. And luckily today I was able to come up with one."

San Diego has never lost to Sporting KC, having recorded a scoreless draw and a 2-0 win last year.

--Field Level Media