NYCFC vs Sporting KC: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York

When: Friday, July 26th at 7:30 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): TV: ESPN+, TSN. NYCFC TV/Radio: MSG, WNYE 91.5 FM. Sporting KC TV/Radio: FOX Sports KC Plus, 810 AM WHB.

Team Notes

Sporting KC

Sporting KC has a 6-7-8 (W-L-D) record through 21 matches despite a minus-4 goal differential signaling a better results than their record indicates.

Kansas City are in 10th place this year in the Western Conference with just 25 points. They’ve scored 32 goals but allowed 36 on the season.

Sporting KC sits at 100-1 odds to win the MLS title.

New York City FC

New York City FC has a record of 8-3-8 (W-L-D) through 19 games this season.

NYCFC has scored 33 goals against the 23 they’ve surrendered. The club has 32 points, despite playing four less matches than Philadelphia, the Eastern leader at 39 points.

New York City FC has the second highest odds to win the MLS title at 6-1.

Goalie Notes

New York FC: Sean Johnson (5-2-8, 1.20 goals allowed per game)

Johnson rebounded nicely in his 2-1 win over Colorado last weekend, allowing just one goal on three shots.

• After missing four matches due to U.S. National Team duty, Johnson is 1-1 in his two games since returning.
• The NYCFC keeper has allowed three goals on eight shots in his last two matches.
• Johnson has gone four straight games without posting a clean sheet.

Sporting KC: Tim Melia (6-8-6, 1.75 goals allowed per game)

After winning two straight starts, Melia suffered a 2-0 loss to FC Dallas on July 20th.

• Melia has only allowed two goals in his last three starts, posting 14 saves over that span.
• The keeper has faced at least six shots on goal in four of his last five starts.
• Melia posted four clean sheets this season for Sporting KC, with three of them coming in his last six starts.

Players to Watch

New York FC

Héber and Alexandru Mitrita scored the two goals in the 2-1 win over the ten-man Colorado club last weekend.

• Heber leads the club with eight goals in just 12 appearances.
• Maxi Moralez leads the MLS in assists with 13 in 17 matches.
• Moralez also leads NYCFC with four home goals this season.

Sporting KC

Felipe Gutiérrez has scored eight goals in 21 appearances to lead Sporting KC.

• Johnny Russell, Gerso Fernandes and Illie Sanchez have four assists each on the year.
• Gutiérrez also leads Sporting KC with five road goals on the year.
• After Gutiérrez, Sporting KC has five players with just one road goal on the season.

Last Five Games

New York City FC

• New York FC 3-0-2 in their last five contests.
• New York has a plus-4 goal differential in their last five matches.
• NYCFC has scored two or more goals in four of their last six matches.

Sporting KC

• Sporting KC has a record of 2-0-3 over their last five matches.
• In their last five matches, Kansas City has scored seven goals.
• Sporting KC’s goal differential in the last five matches is minus-4.

Game Odds

Match

* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER

Total

* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER