Sporting Kansas City vs St Louis City Sc Picks and Predictions April 5th 2025

Sporting KC Begin New Era Under Zavagnin vs. Defensive-Minded St. Louis

Sporting Kansas City will turn the page on a historic chapter Saturday night when they host St. Louis City in their first match under interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin.

The change comes after Sporting (0-5-1, 1 point) dismissed longtime manager Peter Vermes, ending a remarkable 15-year tenure. The decision followed a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas on March 29 and a club-record 13-match winless run stretching back to last season.

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“One of the hardest things I’ve ever done… It was brutal. It was a heavy moment. It was difficult and a hard conversation,”

– Sporting KC co-owner Mike Illig on parting ways with Peter Vermes.

Vermes’ departure marked the end of an era not just in Kansas City but in MLS history—no coach had been in charge longer. Illig has committed to a global search for a new manager but emphasized that Zavagnin has a legitimate shot to make the role permanent.

Zavagnin now inherits a side desperate for a turnaround. Sporting hasn’t placed higher than eighth in the Western Conference since 2021, and with zero wins so far this year, urgency is high. The club hopes a fresh voice on the sidelines can jumpstart their season.

While Kansas City undergoes a leadership shift, St. Louis City (2-2-2, 8 points) is focused on solving its scoring drought. Despite owning the best defensive record in MLS—just two goals conceded—they’ve been shut out in two straight matches and have only netted four times all season.

“We just lacked the quality in the final third… I think as a team, we created enough chances. We had a lot of entries in the final third,”

– St. Louis City coach Olof Mellberg on the team’s attacking struggles.

The return of midfielder Eduard Lowen could provide a much-needed spark. He missed last week’s 1-0 loss to Austin FC due to suspension but is expected back in the starting lineup.

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This matchup features two sides with something to prove: Sporting KC is playing for identity under a new coach, while St. Louis is trying to find its rhythm in front of goal. The stakes are high as both clubs search for momentum.

Want the inside edge on this pivotal MLS showdown? Don’t miss our latest soccer picks and predictions to guide your wagers this weekend.