The Whitecaps were among the Western Conference bottom feeders from 2018-2020 but have found their footing this season, especially over the last three months. From July 17 to Oct. 2, Vancouver lost just once in 15 MLS matches before taking a 4-1 defeat at Seattle last Saturday. Sartini has posted a 4-2-2 record as the interim boss, getting the most out of White and fellow attacker Cristian Dajome, who has eight goals and four assists.
Vancouver have been equally strong defensively: prior to conceding four against Seattle last weekend, goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and the Whitecaps went on a 337-minute shutout streak, the fifth-longest in MLS this season. Vancouver has been particularly tough at home, winning five of their last six at BC Place while outscoring opponents 12-4 during that stretch.
Recent history in the head-to-head series has favored Sporting, who are 5-0-1 in the last six regular season meetings and own wins in each of their last three trips to BC Place. During their six-game unbeaten run against the Whitecaps, Sporting have scored 20 goals and conceded only three.
The teams last met on May 16 at Children's Mercy Park when Salloi scored and Alan Pulido bagged a brace to spark a 3-0 home win. The most recent meeting at BC Place took place on Feb. 29, 2020, a few weeks before MLS paused due to COVID-19, as Sporting secured a 3-1 victory with goals from Pulido, Kinda and now-departed Erik Hurtado.
Pulido, Sporting’s club-record signing who has eight goals and three assists this season, will miss Sunday's match through injury and is expected to return near playoff time. Defender Jaylin Lindsey will also be absent as he recovers from a long-term hamstring issue.
Build KCI Match Preview: Sporting eyes playoff berth Sunday at Vancouver | Sporting Kansas City - Sporting Kansas City
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