Whitecaps Return to Top Four by 86ing Sporing KC

Photo: Gerrit te Hennepe

Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Sporting Kansas City

VANCOUVER, BC–On 80s Night where the Whitecaps saluted the Vancouver 86ers who were four-time Canadian Soccer League champions, the Whitecaps were rolling back to the time the 86ers were dominant with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City–who were wearing their old “Wizards” kits. The win moves the Whitecaps back into the top four of the Western Conference with Colorado losing at LA on Wednesday based on goal difference.

Brian White had a shot cleared off the line and then a goal disallowed for offside, but he would be key in the eventual breakthrough as Ryan Gauld’s cross was towards him before being knock in for an own goal by Kansas City’s Robert Voloder in the 34th minute.

SKC were the aggressors in the second half forcing two saves off Yohei Takaoka and another shot off the crossbar before scoring in the 69th minute as William Agada pounced on a rebound after Daniel Salloi’s initial shot was saved. Parity would last just seven minutes though as substitutes would connect for the go-ahead goal. Sebastian Berhalter sent a diagonal dime that went to the head of Fafa Picault in the 76th minute.

The Whitecaps are now unbeaten in six in all competitions (5-0-1) which Sporting KC see their brief winning streak of three snapped.

The Whitecaps stay home on Saturday to take on Houston Dynamo at 7:30pm PT (Apple TV) while Sporting Kansas City take on St. Louis City SC in an I-70 Derby (7:30pm CT, Apple TV).

For more of Gerrit te Hennepe’s photos from BC Place on Wednesday night, please click on the link to his gallery.