In a commanding performance at BC Place Stadium, Vancouver Whitecaps FC secured a clear-cut victory, triumphing 3-0 over Sporting Kansas City in Week 22. Emmanuel Sabbi shone brightly, scoring the opening goal in the 34th minute with a splendid play, followed shortly by Jean-Claude Ngando, who doubled the lead to 2-0 just before halftime at the 42nd minute.
The second half saw Mathías Laborda seal the win with a goal in the 41st minute, completing a remarkable outing for Vancouver.
Mathías Laborda was undoubtedly the standout player of the match, contributing significantly as a defender while also finding the net. Emmanuel Sabbi was another key player, netting one goal and taking five shots during the match.
The head coach of Vancouver, Jesper Sorensen, deployed a tactical arrangement of 4-3-3 with Yohei Takaoka in goal, while Édier Ocampo, Bjorn Utvik, Tristan Blackmon, and Mathías Laborda made up the defense. In midfield, he had Jean-Claude Ngando, Sebastian Berhalter, and Andrés Cubas, with a front line featuring Emmanuel Sabbi, Brian White, and Jayden Nelson.
On the other side, coach Kerry Zavagnin fielded his team in a 4-3-3 formation, with John Pulskamp in goal and Andrew Brody, Jansen Miller, Joaquín Fernández, and Tim Leibold in defense. The midfield included Jacob Bartlett, Zorhan Bassong, and Nemanja Radoja, while the attack was led by Magomed Suleymanov, Dejan Joveljic, and Daniel Salloi.
Referee Lukasz Szpala oversaw the match at BC Place Stadium.
In their upcoming fixtures, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will host Portland Timbers, while Sporting Kansas City will face San Diego FC at home.
Substitutions for Vancouver Whitecaps FC
45’ 2T – Andrés Cubas was replaced by Ralph Priso
73’ 2T – Édier Ocampo came off for Tate Johnson and Emmanuel Sabbi left for Daniel Rios
80’ 2T – Jean-Claude Ngando was substituted for Jeevan Badwal
88’ 2T – Tristan Blackmon came off for Belal Halbouni
Yellow Cards for Vancouver Whitecaps FC:
2’ 1T Emmanuel Sabbi (Unsporting behavior)
Substitutions for Sporting Kansas City
58’ 2T – Nemanja Radoja was substituted for Jake Davis
59’ 2T – Daniel Salloi left the pitch for Santiago Muñoz, and Tim Leibold was replaced by Logan Ndenbe
84’ 2T – Magomed Suleymanov was substituted for Mason Toye and Zorhan Bassong came off for Memo Rodríguez
Yellow Cards for Sporting Kansas City:
27’ 1T Dejan Joveljic (Unsporting behavior) and 5’ 2T Tim Leibold (Repetition of fouls)