Sporting Kansas City hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps on a brutally hot Saturday night. Rafa Wicky opted for three changes from last week’s 2-1 loss to Atlanta United. Or Blorian and Justin Reynolds returned to the back line and Jacob Bartlett replaced Zohran Bassong in midfield. Sporting set up in a 4-4-2 formation with Stefan Cleveland in goal. Protecting him was Emir Karic, Or Blorian, Moises Mosquera, and Justin Reynolds. Lasse Berg Johnsen and Barlett anchored the middle of the pitch with Capita and Calvin Harris on the wings. Shapi and Taylor Calheira led the attack.

Vancouver, the Western Conference leaders, came out in a 4-2-3-1 with designated players, Thomas Muller and Ryan Gauld, in the midfield.

First Half

Sporting spent the first five minutes under regular pressure from the Whitecaps. Neither side generated any chances, but Vancouver maintained consistent possession and pressed the Sporting defense. Sporting’s first half chance came in the 14^th minute when Or Blorian found space and raced to the top of the box before firing off a shot that ultimately flew wide left.

The Whitecaps nearly took the lead in the 26^th minute when right back Edier Ocampo drilled a shot past Cleveland. Fortunately for Sporting, the shot ricocheted off the post and was cleared away. At the 30^th minute, the match paused for a needed hydration break. Vancouver led Sporting with four shots to three but also committed seven fouls to Sporting’s three. Vancouver maintained 61% possession to Sporting’s 39%. The match turned on its head in the 38^th minute when the referee awarded a penalty kick after Justin Reynolds took down Bruno Caicedo in the box. Thomas Muller took the spot kick for the visitors and placed it easily down the middle while Cleveland dove to his right.

Vancouver nearly struck again in the 45^th minute on a strong counterattack before sending the ball just wide to the right. The first card of the match came four minutes into first half stoppage time when Bruno Caicedo was deemed to have fouled Capita. Sporting earned a free kick in a dangerous spot, but Shapi’s delivery couldn’t clear the first defender, and the referee blew the halftime whistle.

At the Break

At halftime, Vancouver led Sporting KC in possession 58.5% to 41.5%. They led Sporting in shots 6-4 (2-0 shots on target). They completed nearly 100 more passes and were more accurate 88% to 83%. The expected goal (xG) difference was 1.3 to 0.2. though the non-penalty xG was closer to 0.55 to 0.2. Sporting kept things close until the penalty kick but were being outplayed throughout the first half.

Second Half

Sporting started the half by substituting Capita Capemba for Stephen Afrifa. Things went from bad to worse for Sporting in the 48^th minute. Bruno Caicedo hit a cutback cross that eventually fell to Oliver Larraz. The midfielder then fed a ball into the center of the 6-yard box where Brian White easily put it past Cleveland. Vancouver picked up their second yellow card of the match in the 51^st minute when Tate Johnson hacked down Justin Reynolds.

In the 57^th minute, Rafa Wicky made his second substitution of the match, replacing Justin Reynolds with Ian James. Stephen Afrifa earned a free kick in a dangerous spot in the 58^th minute but Shapi’s set piece couldn’t clear the wall.

Vancouver opted for their first substitutions of the match in the 62^nd minute making a double sub. Jeevan Badwal replaced Oliver Larraz and Emmanuel Sabbi replaced Caicedo. The first real cheer of the game from the home fans came in the 66^th minute when new designated player, Andre Luiz, made his debut, replacing Shapi. Kwaku Agyabeng also replaced Jacob Bartlett. Luiz’s first touch was electric, as he showed pace and quickness, trying to dart around multiple Whitecaps defenders. Luiz earned a free kick and took a dangerous set piece, serving up a good ball into the box.

Vancouver made another lineup chance in the 70^th, bringing on Samuel Adekugbe for Tate Johnson. Stephen Afrifa earned a yellow in the 73^rd minute for clipping the heels of Andres Cubas a few yards outside the box. Thomas Muller took the set piece and served up a nice ball to the back post, but nobody was able to put it on frame. Vancouver nearly scored a golazo when Ryan Gauld attempted a bicycle kick from just outside the 6-yard box. His audacious strike went just high of the crossbar.

The Cauldron shouted for a penalty in the 87^th minute when Taylor Calheira was taken down in the box, but the referee saw nothing in it and awarded a goal kick. Vancouver made two more substitutions to help kill off the game. Rayan Elloumi entered for Brian White and Cheikh Sabaly replaced Ryan Gauld. Vancouver nearly scored a third when Elloumi found space in the box and fired a shot on frame. Cleveland was able to save it with his feet and a little help from the post. However, shortly after the ensuing corner kick, Elloumi turned home a cross-beating Cleveland at the near post. Lasse Berg Johnsen picked up the final yellow card of the game in the last minute of stoppage time. A cherry on top of a lovely night of soccer.

Final Stats

Vancouver dominated Sporting KC in every metric. 53% possession to 47%. 16 shots to 10 (6 to 1 on target). 490 passes to 380 with 89% accuracy to SKC’s 87%. They won the xG battle 3.2 to 0.6. A true tale of the opposite ends of the table.