Austin FC Aims for Playoff Berth While Sporting KC Tries to Spoil the Fun This Sunday Night

Sporting Kansas City will face Austin FC on Sunday night in a game with different goals for both teams. The match is set for 7 pm ET at Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting Kansas City is already out of playoff contention, while Austin is working to secure their second postseason spot.

Interim coach Kerry Zavagnan has focused on younger players and an attacking style during a challenging season for Kansas City. Although they have struggled overall, they have delivered some exciting matches, notably featuring Dejan Joveljić with 16 goals and Dániel Sallói’s continued performance. On defense, Mexican center back Alán Montes may see his first significant playtime after joining on loan from Necaxa.

Austin is gaining momentum. Under coach Nico Estévez, the team has scored multiple goals in five of their last six games, and they sit in seventh place in the Western Conference. With Myrto Uzuni unavailable due to international duty and Brandon Vázquez injured, veteran Diego Rubio is likely to be the key striker, supported by winger Osman Bukari and the promising 20-year-old Owen Wolff.

The objectives are clear. Sporting aims to keep their slim hopes alive and redefine their identity after the departure of Peter Vermes. Austin knows that a win would solidify their playoff chances and provide a nine-point lead over 10th-place Houston, which could be crucial with only five games remaining.