When you lend your heart to something for so many years, the bond that you create lasts a lifetime. This Saturday will undoubtedly be a fixture full of emotions for Johnny Russell, who’ll be returning to Kansas City for the first time since his contract expired at the end of the 2024 season. The Scotsman joined Real Salt Lake in April of this year and will defend the Claret-and-Cobalt in a game that will surely feel like a homecoming.
Although the spotlight will largely be on Russell this weekend given his storied history with the club, he’ll be accompanied by another former SKC forward—William Agada, acquired by RSL this past April. It remains to be seen how both players will be received by Sporting fans, now wearing the colors of a long-time Western Conference rival.
This match kicks off a congested summer slate, following a sparsely-scheduled June following a 2-0 home win against DC United two weeks ago. Like their previous game, the Utah club will still be without MLS All-Star playmaker Diego Luna, currently representing the U.S. Men’s National Team in the Gold Cup. Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni will look to build on the confidence from their recent win and may repeat the same starting XI for the first time since May 28, when the lineup that faced Vancouver in a 3-2 home loss on May 24 was fielded again in the agonizing 1-1 draw at Austin.
As the season progresses and the playoffs draw ever closer, each game becomes increasingly crucial for RSL. Positive results in a home-heavy second half of 2025 could turn around a season that has disappointed so far, propelling this resilient squad into postseason action. That remains the team’s primary goal, and it’s certain they won’t give up until the final whistle. Saturday presents another opportunity to steal points on the road against a struggling Kansas City side — a chance to climb the standings and gain much-needed momentum.
This edition of Storylines explores the hottest topics ahead of Matchday 19 in Kansas City.
Russell and Agada Set for SKC Reunion
Few might have imagined that Johnny Russell would ever be wearing opposing colors to that of Sporting KC. Having spent seven seasons with SKC, Russell gained enormous respect from the club and the fans. The former captain made a total of 196 MLS appearances, scoring 60 goals and providing 29 assists, according to fbref.com.
Now, however, he returns to Children’s Mercy Park to face his former club for the first time since last season, a moment sure to stir a rollercoaster of emotions for the 35-year-old. Russell shared the following during the post-game press conference after the match against D.C.:
“I made no secret about it, I wanted to stay in KC. I felt that I had done enough there, I had still enough to give to deserve to be there. They wanted to move on and that’s the business we’re in. They wanted to try something different and there’s no hard feelings. I still love it there. It was home for me for seven years but it’s good to get back out there and show that I’ve still got it.”
Fresh off a goal-scoring home debut in his first start for RSL in the win against D.C. United, Russell’s confidence is growing, and his chemistry with his new teammates continues to build with each match. What was once a threat to RSL has now become an asset, a dynamic presence on the right wing with the ability to trouble any backline. Although he was subbed off at halftime in the last outing as a precaution due to fitness concerns, two weeks of recovery should put him in pole position to start this weekend, unless Pablo Mastroeni opts to bring back Polish midfielder Dominik Marczuk, who missed the last match while on international duty.
Joining Russell in returning to his old stomping ground is fellow teammate and former SKC player William Agada, who, like Russell, also joined RSL this season. Agada wore the KC uniform for three seasons before making his way to the Beehive State in April. He appeared in 64 games, making 38 starts, while scoring 21 goals and providing five assists, according to fbref.com.
Agada has started the last six matches for the club and remains firmly in Mastroeni’s preferred starting XI. Since his arrival, he’s appeared in eight games, starting six. His lone goal of the season so far came from a set piece in the 1-1 draw at Austin on May 28. Saturday offers another opportunity for the Nigerian forward to find his way back onto the scoresheet in pursuit of vital three points.
Rested RSL Targets Crucial Win
Mastroeni’s side enters this match well-rested, having enjoyed a full two-week break. In contrast, their Western Conference rivals, Sporting KC, face a quick turnaround after hosting Charlotte FC on Wednesday, June 25. The difference in rest—14 days for RSL versus just three for KC—could be a key factor in this fixture.
Wednesday’s match, SKC scored a pair of stoppage-time goals to defeat Charlotte, 2-1, snapping a two-game losing streak in dramatic fashion. KC is also eager to secure three points to strengthen its position as the season enters its second half. Kansas City currently sits 13th in the Western Conference with 19 points, just one ahead of 13th-place RSL, which has 18. With both teams outside the playoff picture, a win Saturday is vital in reigniting postseason hopes.
RSL will be without 21-year-old MLS All-Star Diego Luna, who remains with the U.S. Men's National Team, mutinies regularly by head coach Mauricio Pochettino following his dominant form throughout the 2025 season. While fans won’t see him in action for the club this weekend, Luna is expected to earn minutes this Sunday, June 29, when the U.S. faces Costa Rica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals in Minneapolis. In his absence, RSL Academy homegrown and Beehive State native Zavier Gozo has stepped up in the attack, continuing his development and building confidence on and off the ball. His impact was clear in the recent win over D.C. United, where he scored the second goal of the night and celebrated with the RSL faithful, showing appreciation for the support he has received in recent months.
RSL will aim to build on that strong performance this Saturday, when it visits Sporting KC at Children’s Mercy Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT, and can be viewed live on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV+.
