Whitecaps 1, Sporting KC 0: Unlikely hero delivers Vancouver the victory in must-win game

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Winless in their first four games, the Vancouver Whitecaps break through to grab three points against their rivals, Sporting Kansas City, at BC Place on Saturday.

Publishing date:

Apr 02, 2022 • 34 minutes ago • 2 minute read • Join the conversation

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia blocks a shot from Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White during the first half at BC Place April 2, 2022.
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia blocks a shot from Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White during the first half at BC Place April 2, 2022. Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin /USA TODAY Sports

In every desert, there is an oasis. In every scoring drought, there comes an unlikely hero.

The Vancouver Whitecaps went 167 minutes without scoring at home this season, until an unlikely hero emerged in Ryan Raposo. The Canadian, making just his sixth start in three seasons for the Caps, scored in the 72nd minute at BC Place on Saturday, leading Vancouver to their first win over the season: 1-0 over Sporting Kansas City.

Los Angeles FC midfielder Ismael Tajouri moves the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Raposo during the second half at Banc of California Stadium March 20 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ismael Tajouri moves the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Raposo during the second half at Banc of California Stadium March 20 in Los Angeles. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez /USA TODAY Sports

It was the first career goal for the Hamilton, Ont., native, who the Whitecaps drafted fourth overall in the 2020 SuperDraft. And it couldn’t have come at a better time, as Vancouver had gone 0-3-1 to start the season, and were in danger of falling in a deep Western Conference hole early in the season.

Thomas Hasal made four saves for the Whitecaps (1-3-1), while Sporting KC (2-4-0) lost for the third time in four games.

Here’s what we learned.

NEXT GAME

saturday

Portland Timber vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

7 pm, BC Place. TV: TSN4. Radio: AM730

TAKING OFFICE

Before Raposo poked in a loose ball in scramble in the corner of the six yard box, the Whitecaps had more yellow cards (3) than shots on goal. They came into the game with an MLS-low four shots on goal.

Despite the lack of work for KC keeper Tim Melia, the Whitecaps did have the better quality scoring chances, and won the expected goals (xG) battle 0.9 to 0.6.

Sporting came into the game known for their slick possession-based game, and sat fifth overall in MLS at 55 per cent, but while they had the more purposeful buildup of the two sides in the first half, they fizzled out in the final third.

They finished with 51.2 per cent possession.

STILL WORK TO DO

The win moved the Whitecaps off the bottom of the West, but only as high as 13th place. But it put them within striking distance of getting back into the playoff spot, with eighth-place Nashville sitting on seven points.

The Whitecaps host Portland (1-1-3), who are a single point in front of them, next week at BC Place before for three straight games.

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