Sporting Kansas City 6, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

Sporting Kansas City extended their unbeaten streak to seven games, as they defeated nine-man Vancouver Whitecaps FC 6-0 on Friday at Children's Mercy Park.

Sporting started the game with two big plays. First, in the 7th minute, Tim Melia made a spectacular one-handed save on Yordy Reyna, with the Vancouver attacker alone on goal against the Sporting 'keeper. Then, SKC built on that stop when Johnny Russell put the home side ahead in the 10th minute, stroking home a one-timer off a feed from Roger Espinoza. Russell added his second goal on a solo run into the box just six minutes later.

Kansas City added to their lead in the 30th minute, as Jimmy Medranda hit a banger from beyond the left corner of the 18-yard box to make it 3-0.

The Whitecaps' misery was compounded in the 40th minute, as Reyna and Efrain Juarez were both sent off following a melee between the teams that started with a Kendall Waston tackle on Espinoza. Following Video Review, referee Kevin Stott sent the duo off, leaving Vancouver down two men with more than a half to play.

Just before halftime, Russell drew a penalty, and when Ilie Sanchez stepped up to take the spot kick, Whitecaps goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic saved the attempt.

But after the break, the goals kept coming, as Russell completed his hat trick and Cristian Lobato came off the bench and scored two minutes later. Yohan Croizet then broke his duck late to open his MLS account.

Goals

10' – SKC – Johnny Russell | WATCH
16' – SKC – Johnny Russell | WATCH
30' – SKC – Jimmy Medranda | WATCH
48' – SKC – Johnny Russell | WATCH
54' – SKC – Cristian Lobato | WATCH
77' – SKC – Yohan Croizet | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The outcome of the game appeared to be settled when the second goal went in, and so it turned out to be. Double red cards or not, Sporting completely dominated the game and the Whitecaps will look to put this one out of mind as quickly as possible.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: While it was an eventful night in a number of ways, Melia's stop on Reyna in the opening minutes set the tone for the evening and kept the previously successful road warriors off the board.

How?!

What a save by @TimMelia28. #SKCvVAN https://t.co/GQu37kzGZt
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 21, 2018

MAN OF THE MATCH: Espinoza had an impactful night, but Russell, who scored his first hat trick in MLS to continue his hot start to life stateside, helped set the tone for Sporting and ensured three points were wrapped up in short order.