Sporting Kansas City made MLS history in a way that no one could have expected. They beat reigning MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy 1–0 without taking a single shot. Not on target, not wide, not even a wild shot. Nothing.
The win came at Children's Mercy Park thanks to an own goal by Maya Yoshida after just 13 minutes, following a low cross by Dániel Sallói. The ball was not heading towards goal, but the deflection off the Japanese defender sent it straight into the back of the net.
Kansas City grabbed hold from there, rode the pressure, and earned a win never before seen in 30 years of the league. No team had ever won an MLS game without trying to score.
None of this was part of Sporting Kansas City's plan
Interim coach Kerry Zavagnin explained that it wasn't meant to happen, but was impressed with the emotional commitment of the team. For him, trust, belief, and team work made up for the complete lack of offensive play.
"I know we set a record for not quitting and still winning, and that certainly wasn't the game plan, and we don't see ourselves winning a game like that again," Zavagnin said. "But when you have faith, belief, commitment, and an emotional investment you take to the game, strange things can happen, and sometimes they happen for you. That's what I'm most proud of. That element, that part, was really good today."
LA Galaxy had over 64% possession, made 703 attempts to Kansas City's 266, and had eleven shots. For all that control, they could not get past goalkeeper John Pulskamp, who made a timely display to maintain the narrow advantage.
It was Sporting Kansas City's third victory in their last five games, all since the split with long-time head coach Peter Vermes at the end of March. The team now carries 10 points and is five points from a playoff spot in the Western Conference. It's premature to call it a full-fledged turnaround, but the fact is evident: this team has learned how to compete again, even if it involves competing with their backs to the wall.
LA Galaxy remains in crisis mode
With eight losses and three draws in 11 games, they have now become only the fourth club in league history to be winless after the first 11 games of a season. They join Real Salt Lake (2007), Colorado Rapids (2019), and CF Montréal (2025) in a club no team wishes to be part of. For a team that finished last season as champions, this kind of start is not only unexpected but unacceptable to many. The squad includes the big names like Yoshida, Gabriel Pec, and veteran Marco Reus, but the result is far from justifying expectations.
Pulskamp is one of the key players in the match
The game was tight from the opening whistle, with few genuine chances for either side. Galaxy began to pressure following the own goal. Sporting lost Logan Ndenbe to injury in the 30th minute. He was replaced by Tim Leibold, his 50th regular-season game for his career. Moments before halftime, Galaxy threatened to equalize through John Nelson, whose close-range shot was deflected by an extended Pulskamp.
In the second half, the pattern held. LA kept pressing, and SKC kept dropping back. In the 55th minute, a menacing low cross was deflected by Robert Voloder, and Diego Fagundez shanked the rebound down the sideline. At 70 minutes, Reus curled a free kick toward the far post, but Pulskamp paled it away. The German midfielder's final chance came in stoppage time, shooting another free kick off the crossbar and out. That was that. LA's final threat dissipated, and with it, their hopes for a comeback.
Pulskamp closed the night tying important club marks. The shutout brought him to eight in regular-season action, tying him for seventh-most in club history. He also reached 12 victories, where he is now one of the team's best keepers over the past few years. His composure and saves in spite of constant pressure from Galaxy were instrumental in one of the most surprising results of the year.