Major League Soccer Gameweek 26
Sporting Kansas City 3 - 4 FT Philadelphia Union
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
5' Andre Luiz (L. Johnsen)
10' Andre Luiz (C. Harris)
16' W. Meyer (E. Karic)
45' K. Agyabeng
HT
↓ I. Vassilev ↑Q. Sullivan 46'
46' ↓ K. Agyabeng ↑J. Bartlett
53' L. Johnsen
B. Damiani (F. Westfield) 64'
C. Sullivan (D. Jean Jacques) 66'
M. Iloski (Q. Sullivan) 68'
68' ↓ T. Calheira ↑J. Reid
C. Sullivan 70'
71' ↓ L. Johnsen ↑Z. Bassong
71' ↓ S. Afrifa ↑O. Wolff
Z. Bassong 73'
K. Wagner 80'
↓ C. Sullivan ↑A. Bedoya 82'
↓ J. Lukic ↑J. Bueno 83'
83' ↓ C. Harris ↑R. Ramos
↓ M. Iloski ↑E. Alladoh 83'
Philadelphia Union 90'+6
90'+8 Sporting Kansas City
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Sporting Kansas City
Goalkeepers
Stefan Cleveland 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Justin Reynolds 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Moisés Mosquera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Wyatt Meyer 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Emir Karić 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
1
Assists
31%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
André Luiz 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
3
On Target
9.3
Rating
Lasse Berg Johnsen 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.3
Rating
Kwaku Agyabeng
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Calvin Harris
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.3
Rating
Forwards
Taylor Calheira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
68
Entry
Stephen Afrifa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
71
Entry
BENCH
John Pulskamp 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jansen Miller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Diego Borges
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jayden Reid 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Jacob Bartlett
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
52
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Zorhan Bassong 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
0
Fouls
6
Rating
Owen Wolff
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
27
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ruben Ramos Jr.
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Seymour Garfield-Reid
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Philadelphia Union
Goalkeepers
Andre Blake
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Francis Westfield
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
5.9
Rating
Neil Pierre 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
91%
Duel Win %
Nathan Harriel 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Kai Wagner
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Cavan Sullivan
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Danley Jean-Jacques
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7
Rating
Jovan Lukić
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
4
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Indiana Vassilev
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Forwards
Milan Iloski
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Bruno Damiani
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
George Marks
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Japhet Sery Larsen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alejandro Bedoya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Quinn Sullivan 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
52
Minutes
6.3
Rating
Jesús Bueno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Benjamin Bender
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Augustin Anello
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Malik Jakupovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ezekiel Alladoh
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/03/2024 | Sporting Kansas City | 1 - 1 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | Children's Mercy Park |
| 04/01/2023 | Philadelphia Union | 0 - 0 | Sporting Kansas City | Major League Soccer | Subaru Park |
| 07/31/2020 | Philadelphia Union | 3 - 1 | Sporting Kansas City | Major League Soccer | ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Field 17 |
| 03/10/2019 | Sporting Kansas City | 2 - 0 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | Children's Mercy Park |
| 09/23/2018 | Philadelphia Union | 2 - 0 | Sporting Kansas City | Major League Soccer | Talen Energy Stadium |
| 07/07/2017 | Sporting Kansas City | 1 - 1 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | Children's Mercy Park |
| 08/27/2016 | Philadelphia Union | 2 - 0 | Sporting Kansas City | Major League Soccer | Talen Energy Stadium |
| 09/30/2015 | Philadelphia Union | 2 - 2 (PEN 6-7) | Sporting Kansas City | US Open Cup | PPL Park |
| 04/05/2015 | Sporting Kansas City | 3 - 2 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | Children's Mercy Park |
| 10/18/2014 | Philadelphia Union | 2 - 1 | Sporting Kansas City | Major League Soccer | PPL Park |
03/03/2024
04/01/2023
07/31/2020
03/10/2019
09/23/2018
07/07/2017
08/27/2016
09/30/2015
04/05/2015
10/18/2014
Sporting Kansas City Win
Philadelphia Union Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 22 GD: +29
P: 21 GD: +11
P: 21 GD: +5
P: 22 GD: 0
P: 21 GD: +7
P: 20 GD: 0
P: 22 GD: +4
P: 21 GD: +2
P: 21 GD: +1
P: 21 GD: -1
P: 20 GD: -4
P: 21 GD: -11
P: 20 GD: -5
P: 21 GD: -12
P: 20 GD: -26
League Standings
P: 25 GD: +33
P: 26 GD: +4
P: 26 GD: +9
P: 26 GD: +7
P: 26 GD: +8
P: 27 GD: +14
P: 26 GD: +1
P: 27 GD: -8
P: 26 GD: -1
P: 25 GD: 0
P: 26 GD: -12
P: 25 GD: -5
P: 24 GD: -5
P: 26 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -34
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Sporting Kansas City
Philadelphia Union
Sporting Kansas City
Philadelphia Union
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
The Miracle at Mercy Park: Union Overturn 3-0 Deficit
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 94/100. A historic 4-3 comeback victory saw Philadelphia erase a three-goal deficit in a second-half blitz that left Kansas City absolutely stunned.
First-Half Fury
The game at Children's Mercy Park exploded into life almost immediately. Andre Luiz put Sporting Kansas City in the driver's seat right out of the gate, breaking through the lines to score in the fifth minute. He doubled his tally just five minutes later, tearing past a bewildered defense. When W. Meyer added a third at the 16-minute mark, the sheer Intensity of the home side was overwhelming. Kansas City seemed entirely in control, ruthlessly punishing every early mistake and looking poised for a blowout victory. The crowd was ecstatic, anticipating a statement win to lift them from 15th in the standings. At that stage, Philadelphia looked completely out of their depth, unable to cope with the blistering pace of the early onslaught.
The Four-Minute Avalanche
The second half brought an unprecedented shift in Balance that no one in the stadium saw coming. Philadelphia Union regrouped, controlled possession at 55%, and flipped the entire script. In the 64th minute, Bruno Damiani finally sparked the rally with a clinical finish. A mere two minutes later, C. Sullivan found the back of the net, causing panic to spread across the home defense. Barely giving the crowd time to process the collapse, Milan Iloski equalized in the 68th minute, capping a breathtaking four-minute span of pure offensive chaos. Substitute Q. Sullivan was absolutely instrumental during this phase, stepping onto the field to provide the crucial assist that cracked the fragile Kansas City backline wide open.
A Crushing Conclusion
The Stakes were already massive for a struggling Kansas City squad desperate for points, making the final twist even more devastating. Disaster struck in the 73rd minute when Z. Bassong accidentally directed the ball into his own net, completing one of the most stunning collapses in recent MLS memory. The Union held onto their miraculous 4-3 lead until the final whistle, adding a massive Upset Factor considering how utterly defeated they looked in the opening twenty minutes. The visitors escape the Midwest with all three points, cementing a famous comeback that will be replayed for weeks. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City is left searching for answers after a defensive meltdown erased an otherwise flawless start to the game.
Key Questions
What made André Luiz the Man of the Match?
Despite the loss, his brilliant first-half brace earned him a 9.3 rating, proving his elite attacking quality and relentless drive in the final third.
What caused the 7-goal thriller?
A combination of an early Kansas City blitz and a relentless second-half attacking surge from Philadelphia generated an incredible offensive spectacle.
How did Sporting Kansas City complete the comeback from behind?
They didn't. Kansas City actually surrendered a commanding 3-0 lead, conceding four unanswered second-half goals to lose 4-3 in stunning fashion.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Union's Attack Targets SKC's Leaky Defense
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 51/100. A heavily lopsided matchup promises goals, as Philadelphia's surging offense looks to exploit a Kansas City backline shipping goals at an alarming rate.
The Setup
Philadelphia Union arrive at Children's Mercy Park on September 20, 2026, riding a commanding Form rating fueled by three straight victories. The visitors are hunting better playoff positioning, while Sporting Kansas City are languishing down in 15th place with a dismal -33 goal difference. A low Balance rating and modest Stakes reflect the massive gulf in class between the two sides right now. However, neither team is particularly tight at the back. With a high expected goal output and defensively vulnerable setups on both ends of the pitch, this clash has all the ingredients for a high-scoring shootout.
Key Battle
T. Calheira has been a rare bright spot for the hosts, bagging three goals in his last two outings. He will need to outshine Philadelphia's teenage phenom Cavan Sullivan, whose playmaking and finishing have been off the charts. The Stars rating heavily favors the visitors, meaning Calheira must be ruthlessly efficient with his chances if Kansas City are to keep pace with Sullivan's relentless attacking tempo.
Our Prediction
We expect a comfortable 3-1 victory for the visitors. Philadelphia's firepower will overwhelm Kansas City early, exposing their defensive frailties before managing the game safely in the second half. The home side might snatch a consolation goal, but the sheer momentum of the visitors will be too much to handle.