Sporting Kansas City fell to a 3-2 defeat against Atlanta United in a 90-minute tune-up scrimmage at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground on Thursday morning.
Sporting started brightly and took the lead in the 14th minute when Dejan Joveljic was brought down inside the penalty area before stepping up and converting the spot-kick to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Atlanta responded well and scored a quickfire double through Jay Fortune and Cooper Sanchez to take the lead on their home training ground.
Joveljic was again heavily involved as Sporting found an equalizer in the 40th minute after the Serbian’s cross was turned home at the far post by Capita Capemba to tie the game up at 2-2.
Atlanta had the final say late on as the hosts retook the lead for good when Cameron Dunbar fired into the top corner at the far post.
Sporting will restart the club’s MLS season next Thursday night with a visit to cross-state rivals St. Louis at Energizer Park. The match will air on Apple TV as well as on Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish) locally on the radio.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Atlanta United
July 9, 2026 – Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground (Marietta, Ga.)
Sporting Kansas City 2, Atlanta United 3
Scoring Summary:
SKC – Dejan Joveljic 14’
ATL – Jay Fortune 23’
ATL – Cooper Sanchez 26’
SKC – Capita Capemba 40’
ATL – Cameron Dunbar 85’
Sporting Kansas City: Stefan Cleveland; Ian James, Or Blorian, Wyatt Meyer, Jayden Reid; Capita Capemba, Lasse Berg Johnsen, Zorhan Bassong (Shane Donovan 84’), Calvin Harris; Manu Garcia, Dejan Joveljic
