March 17, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City (1-0-3, 6 points) overcame an early deficit to prevail 2-1 over the San Jose Earthquakes (0-4-0) on Saturday night at Children’s Mercy Park.
Dany Rosero’s thumping header in the 18th minute and Alan Pulido’s go-ahead goal 11 minutes later sealed the comeback for a Sporting side that remained undefeated through four games in 2024 and condemned San Jose to its fourth straight defeat to open the campaign. Kansas City has now prevailed in 20 of its last 22 home meetings against the Earthquakes since 2004 while also delivering its longest unbeaten streak to start a regular season since 2017 (six matches).
Manager Peter Vermes’ men will return to Children’s Mercy Park next Saturday, March 23, for a marquee matchup with longtime rival LA Galaxy at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the contest are available at SeatGeek.com.
Center back Robert Voloder accounted for the lone change to Sporting’s lineup from a 0-0 draw at LAFC last weekend, replacing injured defender Andreu Fontas for his first home start since June 10, 2023. Further up the field, captain Johnny Russell hit a major milestone with his 200th appearance for Sporting in all competitions and thus became the third MLS player to log 200 matches with multiple clubs worldwide, having played 203 times for Derby County in England from 2013-2018. Notable markers were also in store for Rosero-who made the 350th appearance of his club career-and midfielder Erik Thommy, who played his 50th regular season game in a Sporting uniform.
Seeking their first win in Kansas City since 2015, the Earthquakes began brightly and took the lead on 11 minutes. Sporting defender Jake Davis-making his 31st consecutive start in all competitions-slid in brilliantly to prevent a driven Preston Judd cross from reaching Amahl Pellegrino at the back post, but Cristian Espinoza’s ensuing corner kick was bundled home by Vitor Costa at close range to quiet the Children’s Mercy Park faithful and give Sporting its first deficit of the season.
Sporting’s response was nothing short of superb. Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel dove at full extension to repel a 22-yard bomb from Pulido in the 17th minute, but the hosts returned the favor on San Jose by cashing in on the corner kick that followed. Memo Rodriguez’s in-swinging delivery was nodded into the roof of the net by a leaping Rosero, who has now bagged four of Sporting’s seven headed goals since joining the…
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