Sporting Kansas City vs Real Salt Lake Picks and Predictions June 28th 2025

Sporting KC Hosts Real Salt Lake, Eyes Momentum After Stunning Comeback

Coming off one of the most improbable finishes in MLS this season, Sporting Kansas City will try to keep their newfound momentum rolling as they host Real Salt Lake on Saturday night in a Western Conference clash with playoff implications.

Sporting KC’s Season Turns at the Death

On Wednesday night, Sporting KC (5-10-4, 19 points) were staring down another home loss. Down 1-0 in second-half stoppage time to Charlotte FC, the outlook was bleak. But in a stunning four-minute turnaround, they scored twice—snatching a 2-1 victory from the jaws of defeat.

The match-winner came from Dejan Joveljic in the 96th minute, pushing his goal tally to 11 on the season—tied for third-most in MLS entering the weekend.

“This is a special team that just doesn’t give up,” said interim coach Kerry Zavagnin, who took over in late March.

While “special” might be up for debate—Sporting KC still sit six points below the playoff line—the numbers show improvement. Since Zavagnin took over, they’ve gone 5-5-3 and are averaging nearly two goals per game. That attacking form could prove pivotal as they push for the postseason.

More detailed MLS projections and match picks highlight how Sporting KC’s attack has transformed in recent weeks.

Real Salt Lake Returns With Rest—and Without Their Star

Real Salt Lake (5-10-3, 18 points) has been idle since June 14, when they ended a long winless stretch with a 2-0 victory over D.C. United. Goals from Johnny Russell and Zavier Gozo helped secure their first win since April 26.

RSL will look to build on that result, but they’ll be without their top scorer, Diego Luna, who is away with the U.S. Men’s National Team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Luna has scored eight of RSL’s 19 goals this season and was recently named an MLS All-Star for the second straight year.

“It’s always a dream for something like that to happen,” Luna said. “You earn those rights through performance.”

Without Luna, Salt Lake’s attack may need to rely on less proven scorers to generate offense on the road. Their last two meetings with Sporting KC—both wins in 2023—suggest they’ll approach this one with confidence.

Stay up to date with form trends and tactical previews in our weekly MLS betting guide.

What’s at Stake Saturday

Both teams are chasing playoff relevance. A win for Sporting KC would mark back-to-back victories and possibly spark a genuine run up the Western table. For RSL, three points would not only push them past Kansas City in the standings, but also solidify momentum after a difficult May and early June.

As the postseason race tightens, expect line shifts and betting angles to evolve—check the MLS odds and scores page for live updates.

Handicapper Hot Streak (Last 3 Days)

Need help picking a side? Here’s how top handicappers have fared this week:

• Tyler Williams: 14-4 record, 77.78% win rate, $1,168 net
• Geovanny Araya: 4-3 record, 57.14%, $241 net
• Steve Janus: 1-0, 100%, $100 net

Their insight is helping bettors stay sharp—see their latest soccer picks and predictions now.

Get Exclusive Access – Sign Up Today!

Handicapping Membership

Get Free Trial