Sporting Kansas City 1–3 Real Salt Lake: Player ratings and tactical analysis from another step backward

Not much can be said about Sporting Kansas City’s 3–1 loss to Real Salt Lake on MLS Matchday No. 6. The Wizards were outplayed from the opening minute, and individual errors once again plagued the team. In truth, by the time the 90 minutes were up, Sporting Kansas City could have lost the match by far more.

Despite keeping slightly more possession at 51%, Sporting Kansas City generated an xG of just 0.48 from five total shots. In comparison, Real Salt Lake produced 22 shots, eight on target, and an xG of 2.55. Those numbers tell the real story. Sporting KC had the ball but did nothing with it, while RSL were direct, aggressive, and consistently dangerous.

Head coach Raphael Wicky bemoaned the poor individual performances from his players after the game. However, it is too easy to simply say every player had a bad match. The deeper issue lies in structure, execution, and the overall quality of the squad.

Sporting Kansas City now sit bottom of the Western Conference after six matches. Rebuilds are rarely pretty, but many supporters will feel this is not a rebuild at all. Instead, it feels like a continuation of the 2025 season, with the same defensive issues and lack of attacking power still present.

With that in mind, let’s break down Fotmob’s ratings and what they reveal about the performance.

Goalkeeper

John Pulskamp — 5.3

John Pulskamp was Sporting KC’s lowest-rated starting player, and that alone says a lot about how the night unfolded. Pulskamp has the ability to produce acrobatic saves, and he did make four stops in this match. 

However, his overall command of the penalty area and his defense continues to be an issue. Diego Luna’s opening goal looked stoppable, particularly given the time Pulskamp had to set himself. It was not a shot taken under extreme pressure, yet it still found the back of the net.

Two of Real Salt Lake’s goals were struck low to Pulskamp’s side, raising further questions about his positioning and reactions. 

Defenders

Center-back

Ian James — 6.1

Raphael Wicky set his team up in a 3-4-3 formation with three center-backs, and it proved to be a complete failure.

Ian James returned from injury, but it was far from an impressive comeback. He lasted just 64 minutes and produced a limited statistical output, finishing with one tackle, two clearances, and two recoveries.

James can also be questioned for his role in Real Salt Lake’s opening goal. He failed to provide adequate cover for Ethan Bartlow as Diego Luna drove forward, leaving too much space in a critical area. 

Center-back

Ethan Bartlow — 5.8

Ethan Bartlow’s night ended at halftime, which tells you everything you need to know about his performance. The only thing more embarrassing for a player than getting subbed off in the first half is being taken off at halftime. 

Bartlow recorded just four defensive contributions and struggled throughout with positioning and pace. The defining moment came when he was beaten by an RSL through ball near the halfway line, forcing him to run 55 yards in pursuit, and nearly conceding a penalty in the process. It was a situation that highlighted both a lack of recovery speed, poor defensive awareness, and just how high the Sporting defensive line was.

Center-back

Jansen Miller — 5.9

Jansen Miller lasted the full 90 minutes, but that says more about a lack of alternatives than it does about performance.

He was turned inside and out on Real Salt Lake’s second goal, a moment that exposed his limitations in one-on-one defending. His heat map showed that he spent large portions of the match deep inside Sporting KC’s defensive third, which reflects the sustained pressure applied by RSL.

Miller did record 13 defensive contributions, including 10 clearances, which inflated his overall rating. However, those numbers are often a sign of a team under siege rather than a defender in control. He won just 50% of his aerial duels. On the night, he was arguably the best of a poor defensive unit.

Midfield

Right midfielder

Justin Reynolds — 7.5

Justin Reynolds was Sporting KC’s highest-rated player according to Fotmob and one of the few positives from the match.

Making his first start since Week 1, Reynolds operated as a right midfielder or wingback and showed clear attacking intent. His cross led directly to Dejan Joveljic’s goal, providing Sporting KC’s only real moment of quality in the final third.

Reynolds finished with 42 touches, created two chances, and contributed defensively with two tackles and four ball recoveries. He also won 71% of his ground duels. His heat map showed consistent involvement in advanced areas, suggesting he was one of the few players willing to push the team forward.

He was substituted after 64 minutes, likely as a precaution following his recent hamstring injury. Based on this performance, he should remain a key part of the lineup moving forward.

Center midfielder

Jake Davis — 6.3

Jake Davis starting in central midfield was a surprise given the players available, and while his statistical output looked respectable, the performance was less convincing.

Davis played the full 90 minutes and recorded 68 touches while completing seven passes into the final third. On paper, those numbers suggest involvement and progression.

However, he won just 44% of his ground duels, and Real Salt Lake were able to bypass him far too easily in midfield. That lack of defensive presence contributed to the constant pressure faced by the back line.

Center midfielder

Lasse Berg Johnsen — 6.6

Lasse Berg Johnsen continues to be one of the few consistent performers in this Sporting KC side. He once again led the team in touches with 86 and covered significant ground across the pitch. 

His heat map reflected a player constantly reacting to situations rather than controlling them, often dropping deep or moving wide to address defensive gaps. Johnsen was a fireman putting out flare-ups across the pitch.

Johnsen completed 86% of his passes and attempted to bring structure to midfield, but he cannot do it alone. The lack of support around him continues to limit his effectiveness and exposes the team defensively.

Left midfielder

Shapi Suleymanov — 6.1

After a run of improved performances, Shapi Suleymanov struggled to make an impact against Real Salt Lake. He completed 88% of his passes and contributed six defensive actions, but his influence on the game was minimal. 

The most notable moment came during Real Salt Lake’s second goal, when it appeared he had an opportunity to intercept or block a pass in midfield but failed to react in time. That hesitation allowed the play to continue, ultimately leading to a goal.

Attack

Right wing

Manu Garcia — 6.9

Manu Garcia delivered another technically solid performance, but like much of Sporting KC’s attack, he was limited by a lack of involvement.

Garcia recorded 51 touches, completed 83% of his passes, and created one big chance while also making three passes into the final third. He also managed one shot on target.

However, his role on the right wing limited his ability to influence the game consistently. Garcia is more effective centrally, where he can dictate play and connect with teammates. Out wide, he simply did not see enough of the ball to make a significant impact.

Striker

Dejan Joveljic — 7.5

Dejan Joveljic was once again asked to produce something from very little, and once again, he delivered.

He scored Sporting KC’s only goal with a well-taken finish, briefly bringing the team back into the match. However, the lack of service remains a major issue.

Joveljic had just 30 touches, with six coming inside the penalty area, and recorded only one shot on target. He nearly scored a second late in the match, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.

For a striker of his quality, the problem is clear. He is not being given enough opportunities to influence matches consistently.

Left wing

Calvin Harris — 6.8

Calvin Harris continues to show flashes of quality despite limited involvement. He finished the match with 32 touches and completed three of his five dribble attempts. He also contributed defensively with three actions and won 67% of his ground duels.

However, his crossing remains an issue, as he failed to complete any of his attempts. While some of that responsibility lies with the lack of attacking support in the box, it is still an area that needs improvement.

Like others in the attack, Harris simply does not see enough of the ball to consistently impact games.

Substitutes

Diego Borges — 6.3

Diego Borges made his Sporting KC debut, coming on at halftime for Ethan Bartlow. Raphael Wicky described the performance as “interesting,” which many may interpret as a positive remark.  However, it can just as easily be read as a cautious or uncertain assessment. 

Borges recorded eight defensive contributions, including four clearances and three interceptions. While there were moments of promise, the overall defensive structure did not improve with his introduction.

Jacob Bartlett — 6.3

Jacob Bartlett was finally removed from the starting lineup after a series of underwhelming performances.

He played 26 minutes in midfield as a substitute, recording 20 touches and completing 88% of his passes. However, he failed to register a single defensive contribution, which remains a consistent concern.

Regardless of his exact role, whether as a No. 6 or No. 8, that lack of defensive impact is difficult to overlook.

Zorhan Bassong — 6.0

Zorhan Bassong made his season debut after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained before MLS Week 1.

He played 26 minutes, completing 10 of his 12 passes while recording 16 touches and one clearance. While it was a positive to see him back on the pitch, he did not make a significant impact on the match.

Given the ongoing defensive struggles, there is a strong argument that Bassong should have started.

Stephen Afrifa — 6.6

Stephen Afrifa played the final 16 minutes and had limited involvement. He completed six of his nine passes and recorded one successful dribble. Despite a relatively high rating, his overall impact on the match was minimal.

Sporting Kansas City’s 3–1 loss to Real Salt Lake was not just another defeat. It was a continuation of the same issues that have defined their season.

The team struggles defensively, lacks midfield protection, and fails to generate consistent attacking opportunities. The underlying numbers reinforce what is clear on the pitch. An xG of 0.48 compared to 2.55 tells you everything.

There are individual bright spots, but they are overshadowed by structural problems and individual errors that remain unresolved. Until those issues are addressed, Sporting Kansas City will continue to find themselves outplayed, outworked, and ultimately outclassed.