Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp believes the club's togetherness can help them qualify for the playoffs.

With five games to go, Sporting KC are eight points off the playoff places in the Western Conference as they sit in 13th.

Their next game is a trip to rivals Real Salt Lake, who are four points above them in 11th but have played two games fewer.

Pulskamp credited the whole club for their togetherness and awareness as they look to make a late push for the spot in the post-season.

"I attribute that [togetherness] to the characters we have in this building," said Pulskamp.

"All the men and women that work for this club are just good people and genuine people, in that they are genuine in their approach to their work and that we are all aware that we are in the same boat.

"Whether the ship is sailing smoothly or taking on some water, we are in that boat together and all we can do is try to bail water out and help each other.

"I think everyone here recognises that, and that's why the togetherness is still there. Now it is just a matter of putting the pieces together to right the ship.

"Being second or third and being 10th, 11th or 12th is not as big as a gap as people think. A little shift of momentum, a couple pieces to the puzzle, is sometimes all that it takes.

"We always say, it is never as good as you think, and it is never as bad as you think."

Sporting KC have won just one of their last eight matches in MLS, while their last road win came back on July 5 against the Colorado Rapids.

RSL, meanwhile, are winless in their three matches since returning to league action following the Leagues Cup, though they have not played at home during that run.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Diego Luna

Diego Luna has been Salt Lake's most prolific player in the 2025 campaign, scoring eight goals and providing two assists.

However, this will be his first match after serving a suspension following his red card against the New York Red Bulls.

Sporting Kansas City – Dejan Joveljic

Having scored four goals in his last four games, only Sam Surridge (20) and Lionel Messi (19) have found the net more often than Dejan Joveljic (17) this season in MLS.

His total is the third-most in a single season in Kansas City's history. He trails only Dom Dwyer (22 in 2014) and Preki (18 in 1996).

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Sporting KC have conceded the most goals (59) in the league this season, surrendering multiple goals for a sixth-straight MLS match last time out. In the post-shootout era (since 2000), Kansas City have not conceded multiple goals in seven consecutive regular-season matches.

Salt Lake will look to take advantage of that after they recorded a season-high 27 shots in their 3-1 home loss to Minnesota, tied for their most shots in an MLS match over the last five seasons. It was the first time an MLS team have lost by multiple goals at home while taking that many shots since Colorado in April 2015 against Seattle.

Salt Lake and Kansas City played to a 1-1 draw back in June, just the second draw over the last 12 regular-season matches in the fixture. There have never been multiple draws in a single season between the teams.

Salt Lake won four of their five matches heading into the Leagues Cup but have lost three consecutive games since. Kansas City, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six matches (one win).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 53.8%

Draw – 23.7%

Sporting Kansas City – 22.5%