Sporting Kansas City v Los Angeles FC: Cherundolo not concerned by losing streak

Steve Cherundolo says he is not concerned by Los Angeles FC’s losing streak as he expects them to bounce back against Sporting Kansas City in MLS on Saturday.

LAFC won their first two games of the season – 1-0 v New York City FC in MLS and 3-0 v Columbus Crew in the Concacaf Champions Cup – but have since lost their last three in all competitions.

Though they went through with an aggregate win over the Crew, they followed it up with a 1-0 defeat to Austin FC, which leaves them eighth in the Western Conference after four games.

Despite that record, Cherundolo was convinced there were more positive signs to come from LAFC.

“If you’re losing games because you’re getting outworked, or you’re disorganized, then it matters,” Cherundolo said.

“If it’s because you’re a little fatigued and your chance creations are down, but you know the solutions will be there next week, then it’s not too concerning.

“This club has been built to win games, but we’ve lost three in a row and that’s something we need to deal with and accept.”

Meanwhile, Sporting KC got their first point of the season in MLS last weekend as they fought back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Minnesota United.

They remain 13th in the table, level on points with the two teams below them, having lost their first three.

Head coach Peter Vermes was delighted with the fight his team showed last week and hopes they can use that result as a springboard going forward.

“The guys are fighting and that’s very good. It’s easy for a team not to fight, but we are,” Vermes said.

“I don’t think in the first three games we didn’t deserve to get points, but that’s the game.

“Sometimes, goals are going to happen, and when they do, the most important thing is the response, and ours has been good, but when you don’t get rewarded, the confidence doesn’t build in certain aspects. The comeback [against Minnesota] should provide that confidence.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sporting Kansas City – Dejan Joveljic

Dejan Joveljic has four goals in 10 regular-season appearances against LAFC, all as a LA Galaxy player between 2021-2024.

He scored Sporting’s late equalizer against Minnesota, his eighth goal in his last eight MLS starts (including playoffs). He has also recorded a goal contribution in each of his last seven MLS home appearances dating back to last season (nine goals, two assists).

Comeback completed.

Dejan Joveljić’s equalizing goal is the Energy Moment of Matchday. pic.twitter.com/3QEtxyvCJV

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 17, 2025

Los Angeles FC – Aaron Long

Aaron Long leads MLS in passing accuracy (95.8%) and ranks sixth in aerial duel success (84.6%).

Against Austin last weekend, he registered 96.1% passing accuracy, completing 103 of his 117 passes (all team-highs), and also made five clearances.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

Los Angeles FC are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Sporting Kansas City across all competitions (W6 D2), including winning the US Open Cup Final 3-1 in extra time last year. LAFC have won their last three away matches against Sporting dating back to 2022.

However, LAFC have lost three straight matches in all competitions for the first time since August-September 2023. They have lost four consecutive matches in all competitions just once in club history, doing so in August 2021, a run that included a loss to Sporting KC.

The hosts, meanwhile, snapped their club-record 10-match losing streak in all competitions with a 3-3 draw against Minnesota United on Saturday after trailing 3-0. It was the first time Sporting avoided defeat after trailing by at least three goals in an MLS match (previously W0 D0 L58 including playoffs).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sporting Kansas City – 22.7%

Draw – 22.3%

Los Angeles FC – 55.1%