How MLS Cup champion Dejan Joveljic uses chess to dominate defenders for Sporting KC
Dejan Joveljic, a striker for Sporting Kansas City, combines his love for soccer and chess to enhance his performance on the field. With a high chess rating on Chess.com, he has become a notable figure in both sports. Joveljic aims to promote chess among athletes and continues to lead his team in scoring despite challenges in the MLS season.
- ▪Dejan Joveljic has a chess rating of 2217 on Chess.com, making him the highest-rated soccer player on the platform.
- ▪He has scored six goals this season, leading Sporting Kansas City, but the team is currently below the playoff line.
- ▪Joveljic learned chess from his father and grandfather, which he credits for helping him outthink defenders on the soccer field.
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How MLS Cup champion Dejan Joveljic uses chess to dominate defenders for Sporting KC The Sporting KC striker is the highest-rated soccer player on Chess.com and now joins Christian Pulisic with his very own bot for fans to challenge By Chuck Booth May 19, 2026 at 8:00 pm ET • 3 min read Getty Images Sporting Kansas City striker Dejan Joveljic's first toy may have been a soccer ball, but an early introduction to chess was also a formative moment for the 26-year-old. He learned how to play from his father and grandfather while he was a kid, and now it's paid off.
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