Sporting KC Learn MLS is Back Round of 16 Opponent

Going into the day, Sporting Kansas City had a lot of potential opponents lineup up for Sunday. Look no further than our own Mike Kuhn’s tweet thread breaking down all the possibilities. One thing they all had in common was one day less rest than the Group D winners.

One team that was in the running but wasn’t expected to move on was the winless Vancouver Whitecaps. They had zero points entering the day and would need a win by at least two goals over the Chicago Fire to advance. The game featured a 90 minute lightning delay and at that point it was scoreless.

After the long break, the Caps decided it was time to press for advancement. They would reel off two goals in just six minutes (65th and 71st minutes) to take the lead. They had to hold that margin or better or Chicago would move on. It got a little harry for them when CJ Sapong scored on a rebound but the VAR called for review and it was ultimately overturned for a handball.

So Marc dos Santos, inaugural Swope Park Rangers coach, will now coach the Whitecaps against Sporting KC on Sunday night to avenge a season opening loss at BC Place.

It could have been the Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, LAFC or the Fire, but it’s the Caps. Let’s run it back.

The Blue Testament will bring you more as the game approaches including lineup predictions (short rest!!) and a game day preview.

Update 7/24/20: Here is a bracket borrowed from our sister site, Massive Report.