Sporting KC blanks Vancouver 3-0

Sporting Kansas City dominated the Vancouver Whitecaps and are coming home with three points for only the second time this season. The 3-0 win also doubles Sporting KC’s road victories.

For the first time this season, Sporting KC had the same starters and they earned their first back-to-back wins in MLS play for 2019.

Gerso Fernandes was dangerous all night for Sporting KC, using his speed on the turf to create opportunities for both his teammates and himself. After beating his defender Gerso crossed the ball towards Yohan Croizet in the 24th minute, but Vancouver defender Ali Adnan’s attempt to block the ball only helped redirect it into the net.

With the lead, Sporting KC held off Vancouver’s pressure and maintained the upper hand going into halftime.

Felipe Gutierrez doubled the lead, scoring his eighth in the 56th when Gerso picked him out running towards the box and slid the ball to him. Gutierrez sliced the ball between the legs of Doneil Henry and past the screened Zac MacMath.

After forcing an own goal and assisting on another, Gerso finally earned one of his own in the 90th minute. Johnny Russell slipped the ball through to Krisztián Németh who then centered it back towards the spot. Gerso’s shot was almost stopped by MacMath but it still ended up in the net.

Not only was this the second straight win and lineup, it was also the second straight shutout for Sporting KC.