Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Sporting Kansas City | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Sporting Kansas City
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 34
BC Place — Vancouver
October 17 - 10 pm ET
WATCH: TSN2, ESPN+

In a match with massive playoff implications in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Whitecaps host Sporting Kansas City at BC Place Wednesday night.

Following a 2-1 win over Toronto FC on Oct. 6, the Whitecaps moved to within three points of the playoff line, while Sporting Kansas City are in third place, three points behind LAFC, after playing the LA Galaxy to a 1-1 draw at home on Oct. 6.

This is the second meeting this season, with Sporting Kansas City cruising to a 6-0 victory on April 30 at Children’s Mercy Park. Johnny Russell struck for a hat trick and Jimmy Medranda, Cristian Lobato and Yohan Croizet scored one goal apiece.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver (12-12-7) kept playoff hopes alive with a dramatic 2-1 win over Toronto FC at BMO Field on Oct. 6.

Russell Teibert scored his first league goal since 2013 to put the visitors in front on four minutes. Jozy Altidore leveled for TFC in the 73rd minute, but five minutes later an unmarked Kei Kamara gave the ‘Caps three huge points when he tapped in a Jordon Mutch cross for his 14th goal of the season.

“They actually wanted more, they felt they could be better and it’s translated to the first couple of training days this week,” interim coach Craig Dalrymple said. “It’s been really bright, really positive and they’re even more hungry than they were last week.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: M - Alphonso Davies, D - Doneil Henry, M - Russell Teibert, D - Kendall Waston, M - Aly Ghazal, F - Yordy Reyna
Injury Report: QUESTIONABLE: D - Aaron Maund (right hip flexor strain)

Projected Starting XI
(4-1-4-1, right to left)
GK: Stefan Marinovic — Jake Nerwinski, Jose Aja, Aaron Maund, Brett Levis — Felipe — Brek Shea, Jordon Mutch, Nicolas Mezquida, Erik Hurtado — Kei Kamara

Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City (15-8-8) rallied to earn a 1-1 home draw against the LA Galaxy on Oct. 6 at Children’s Mercy Park.

After Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave the visitors the lead on a debated penalty kick in the 25th minute, Russell equalized in the 83rd minute, dancing through the Galaxy defense to score his ninth goal of the season and earn a share of the points.

“With them trying to get into the playoffs, it’s going to obviously be a very hotly contested match,” Peter Vermes said. “We just have to be prepared for it.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: M - Felipe Gutierrez, F - Krisztian Nemeth
Injury Report: OUT: D - Jimmy Medranda (knee surgery), M - Cristian Lobato (quad injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Tim Melia — Graham Zusi, Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic — Roger Espinoza, Ilie Sanchez, Yohan Croizet — Gerso Fernandes, Diego Rubio, Daniel Salloi

All-Time Series

Overall: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3 wins, 16 goals … Sporting Kansas City 7 wins, 25 goals … 3 draws
At Vancouver: Whitecaps 2 wins, 9 goals … Sporting KC 2 wins, 8 goals … 2 draws
Last meeting at Vancouver: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Sporting Kansas City 0 (May 20, 2017)