Vancouver Whitecaps beat Sporting Kansas City 3–0 at home and climbed to 45 points in the MLS Western Conference. The Canadian side is now just one point behind leaders San Diego FC, who sit at 46 with one more game played.
It was Vancouver’s 13th win of the season, matching their total from 2024 and moving them closer to the club’s all-time MLS record of 16 victories, set back in 2015. Sporting KC, meanwhile, remain stuck in 13th place with 24 points.
Vancouver sets the tone early
The Whitecaps came out strong. Jayden Nelson wasted no time testing the Sporting KC defense with quick runs and dangerous crosses. Just seven minutes in, he whipped a ball in to JC Ngando, who struck first-time but missed the target. At 16 minutes, Tristan Blackmon headed the ball down to Brian White, who went for a volley but couldn't keep it on frame.
The pressure paid off in the 35th minute. Ngando found Nelson in space on the left, and the forward sent in a low cross that Emmanuel Sabbi tucked away. It didn’t take long for the second. Minutes later, a loose ball in the box fell to Ngando, who smashed it home to double the lead.
Before the break, Nelson nearly got on the scoresheet himself, cutting inside and firing a left-footed shot that sailed just over the bar. Vancouver controlled the midfield, stayed aggressive, and made good use of the flanks throughout the half.
Whitecaps manage the second half and close it out late
Right after the restart, Nelson almost scored again, forcing John Pulskamp to make a solid save. In the 68th minute, Brian White found the net after a cross from Édier Ocampo, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Sporting KC had their best chance of the night with Logan Ndenbe, who fired from close range, but Yohei Takaoka stood tall and made the stop. At 85 minutes, Nelson was back in the mix with a volley attempt that flew high.
The third goal came in the final minutes off a short corner. Berhalter played it short to Jeevan Badwal, who sent a pinpoint cross to the far post. Mathías Laborda rose above the defense and headed it in to seal the win.
On the last play, Daniel Ríos nearly added a fourth after a well-placed pass from Nelson, but Pulskamp denied him. With the final whistle, the Whitecaps walked off with a comfortable and controlled victory — one that strengthens their push for the top of the conference.