By MATT PIKE
Sporting Kansas City suffered a 3-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes in their 2026 MLS season opener.
In the first match under new head coach Raphael Wicky, six players made their debuts for the club as Sporting Kansas City put a youthful starting 11 together, all of the starters being 28 years old or younger for the first time in an MLS match in 31 seasons. The group included 17-year-old center back Ian James, who became the youngest player to start an MLS regular season opener for Sporting Kansas City in club history.
Sporting goalkeeper John Pulskamp recorded three saves on the night, but despite that effort gave up a goal in the 42nd minute as Daniel Munie pounced on the rebound off Pulskamp's save, to knock n the first score of the game. Munie scored another goal in the second half which pushed the lead to 3-0.
The second goal of the night came just before halftime as Preston Judd struck in the first minute of stoppage time on assists from Jamar Ricketts and Niko Tsakiris. Sporting did come close to pulling a goal back in the 73rd minute as Dejan Joveljic let loose a shot from just inside the penalty area that narrowly missed the target.
Sporting Kansas City will look to bounce back in their home opener against the Columbus Crew on Saturday.
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