Shorthanded ‘Caps unable to stave off SKC’s second-half flurry
VANCOUVER: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (12W-13L-7D) struck first in their massive Western Conference clash on Wednesday evening but Sporting Kansas City (16W-8L-8D) staged a second-half comeback at BC Place to secure a 4-1 road victory.
With the loss, Whitecaps FC remain three points behind Real Salt Lake for the sixth and final playoff position, and two below seventh-place LA Galaxy. The three clubs each have two matches left on their respective schedules. Felipe opened his ‘Caps account to give his side the halftime lead, but Sporting KC scored four unanswered goals in the second frame, including two from Dániel Sallói, to garner all three points.
Vancouver, who had five players unavailable after recently being away on international duty, took the driver seat in the 42nd minute when Kei Kamara won a loose ball at the 18-yard line, then teed it up for Felipe at the top of the box. The left-footed volley found the bottom left corner, giving the Brazilian midfielder his first goal in a WFC kit.
The home side threatened to pad their lead with a pair of chances around the hour-mark but Nicolás Mezquida’s attempt from close range was denied by SKC keeper Tim Melia, then Brek Shea’s header went wide of target.
Sporting equalized not long after when Yohan Croizet banged in a Matt Besler cross, finding the net from 18 yards in the 62nd minute.
The visitors struck again 20 minutes later, when Khiry Shelton won a battle for possession inside the WFC box in transition, then left the ball for Sallói’s right-footed shot inside the far post.
Teenager Gianluca Busio and Sallói added another pair of goals in added time for Sporting KC for the 4-1 final.
Kamara was shown a red card after the final whistle, which results in a suspension in their next match on Sunday, October 21 against Los Angeles Football Club. Kickoff at Banc of California Stadium is at 2:25 p.m. PT live on TSN1/4 and TSN Radio 1040.
The ‘Caps are back home on Sunday, October 28 when they host Portland Timbers at BC Place for the regular season finale. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MCMILLAN ‘CAPS CORNER KICK DONATIONS
For every ‘Caps corner kick at home, McMillan donates $100 to the United Way. An additional $500 is donated for every goal scored off a corner kick. This match McMillan Corners for Kids has donated $200 for a running total of $9,900.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Brett Levis
Referee: Armando Villarreal
Attendance: 18,689
Scoring Summary
42′ – VAN – Felipe (Kei Kamara)
62′ – SKC – Yohan Croizet (Matt Besler)
82′ – SKC – Dániel Sallói (Khiry Shelton)
90+4′ – SKC – Gianluca Busio (Johnny Russell)
90+7′ – SKC – Dániel Sallói (Khiry Shelton)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 46.3% – SKC 53.7%
Shots: VAN 10 – SKC 20
Shots on Goal: VAN 3 – SKC 8
Saves: VAN 4 – SKC 2
Fouls: VAN 7 – SKC 8
Offsides: VAN 2 – SKC 1
Corners: VAN 2 – SKC 4
Duels won: VAN 41 – SKC 50
Tackles won: VAN 13 – SKC 12
Caution
53′ – SKC – Seth Sinovic
Ejection
FT – VAN – Kei Kamara
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Stefan Marinović; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 18.Jose Aja, 22.Aaron Maund, 46.Brett Levis (17.Marcel de Jong 77′); 77.Jordon Mutch; 19.Erik Hurtado, 8.Felipe (31.Russell Teibert 69′), 11.Nicolás Mezquida, 20.Brek Shea (13.Cristian Techera 68′); 23.Kei Kamara ©
Substitutes not used
12.Brian Rowe, 3.Sean Franklin, 9.Anthony Blondell, 15.Roberto Dominguez
Sporting Kansas City
29.Tim Melia; 8.Graham Zusi, 3.Ike Opara, 5.Matt Besler ©, 15.Seth Sinovic; 17.Roger Espinoza, 6.Ilie Sánchez, 10.Yohan Croizet (13.Gianluca Busio 63′); 12.Gerso Fernandes (7.Johnny Russell 63′), 11.Diego Rubio (14.Khiry Shelton 57′), 20.Daniel Sallói
Substitutes not used
26.Jaylin Lindsey, 1.Adrian Zendejas, 4.Brad Evans, 30.Andreu Fontas
