Sporting KC started off their 2023 leagues cup journey by hosting the knockout stage against Chivas Guadalajara, who were eager to prove themselves this season after their recent loss against cincinnati. Both teams were at risk of getting knocked out of the tournament. 

First five minutes were underway and Chivas showed off how motivated they were to win by nearly opening the match’s score before getting denied by Sporting KC Goalkeeper John Pulskamp. In the 25th minute Sporting KC’s Russell and Kinda worked together through the defenders of Chivas to get only inches away from scoring a goal deep within the penalty box. In the 26th minute Gadi Kinda made a promising pass to Eric Thommy, who fooled the goalkeeper with an impressive bicycle kick pass to Johnny Russell who opened up the score for the match.

Sporting KC captain Johnny Russell did not lose his fire that night, within the 28th minute he attempted a shot on goal that ended up bouncing off the left side of the goalpost. 

Second half was underway and the Chivas offense was missing some of the fire that Sporting KC was still burning. With Captain Russell once again challenging the Mexican Goalkeeper Raúl Range with another close shot on goal in the 54th minute. 

In the 90th minute Chivas attempted their closest shot on goal from a header by Chivas defender Antonio Briseno, who was inches away from equalizing the match. With only 4 additional minutes added before full time was over, both teams could not score a goal before the final whistle was blown. 

Sporting KC did not just gain a goal that night, but they gained the confidence to carry themselves to the next match of their league’s cup journey. Although they had won the match by the minimum, Sporting KC still needed a lot of work to be done before they could beat their next rival in the tournament, Toluca FC