Sporting KC goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland shines in draw with Seattle

For the first time in nearly two months, Sporting Kansas City gave supporters something other than dread.

Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders ended Sporting KC’s six-game losing streak in all competitions, but more importantly, it delivered something this club had been missing for weeks: a competent performance.

Seattle arrived at Sporting Park as one of the Western Conference’s strongest teams, sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings and riding a three-game winning streak. Sporting KC, meanwhile, entered the night looking like a team capable of conceding every time an opponent crossed midfield. Yet after going behind in the second minute, Raphael Wicky’s team did not fold.

“I’m proud of the effort and proud of the reaction after that early goal, not to crumble and concede more,” Wicky said after the match. “It’s something to build from, definitely.”

He is right.

Against Chicago a week earlier, Sporting KC conceded once and then mentally left the building, allowing five second-half goals. Against Seattle, the players showed resilience. They stayed organized, defended with far more purpose, and found a way back into the game through Dejan Joveljic’s equalizer.

Joveljic, as he has done all season, punished a defensive mistake with ruthless finishing. The Serbian remains Sporting KC’s best goal scorer by a country mile, and his goal changed the mood of the entire match.

“What a way to come back,” Wicky said. “Seattle is one of the best teams on the west side in the last five years maybe. I’m very happy and very proud of the boys because we bounced back.”

Stefan Cleveland gave Sporting KC what it has lacked

The biggest story of the night, however, was not Joveljic. Rather, it was goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland.

After weeks of shaky goalkeeping from John Pulskamp, Wicky finally turned to the veteran backup, and Cleveland rewarded him with a brilliant first-ever start for Sporting KC. The 31-year-old made seven saves and prevented 1.96 goals. Cleveland looked calm, composed, and capable of organizing the defense.

Wicky admitted that was exactly why the change was made.

“His experience, his calmness, his decision making was good,” Wicky said. “I think he had a few good saves. That’s what I wanted from him.”

Sporting KC’s back line visibly trusted the man behind them. The confidence in defense led Sporting KC to concede just once. During their six-game losing streak, the team conceded at least three goals per match.

There was finally structure to Sporting KC’s play

Sporting still had just 34% possession, but unlike previous weeks, they did not spend the entire evening surviving. The Wizards produced 10 shots, seven on target, two big chances, and an xG of 1.29 against one of MLS’s best defensive teams.

“We just need to be more brave and to be proud with the ball,” Wicky said. “If you play with the ball more, we have more chances. More chances, more goals. It’s simple.”

Simple maybe, but Saturday was the first time in weeks Sporting KC actually looked capable of doing it.

One point does not fix this season. Sporting KC are still at the bottom of MLS’s Supporters’ Shield standings and still have issues to sort out. But after six straight defeats, this looked like a team with life.

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