Our prediction for this MLS match:
Children’s Mercy Park will host Sunday’s football game between Sporting Kansas City and Vancouver Whitecaps. The Wizards have been having their ups and downs at the start of the season. Following a 2-1 win over newcomers Austin, Sporting Kansas City were beaten by Houston in their last league match, with the team dropping to seventh place in the standings. Sporting just can’t find their best form at the start of the season, but the game against Vancouver could be the turning point for the home team.
Both Roberto Punec and Nicolas Isimat-Mirin are out of contention through injuries, while Felipe Hernandez is a major doubt. The Canadian outfit, on the other hand, aim to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United. Considering that Vancouver continue with their habit of producing much better showings at home than on the travels, we are tempted to put our money on Sporting Kansas City.
Highlighted Player (Johnny Russell):
After spending the greatest part of his career at Derby County, Johnny Russell joined Sporting Kansas City in 2018. Russell was born in Glasgow, the capital of Scotland, on April 8, 1990 and he started his youth career at Dundee United.
The 178-cm tall attacker was producing fine performances for the Scottish side from 2007 to 2013 when he moved to Derby County. The Rams booked their place in the Championship on several occassions, but they eventually failed to secure promotion to the Premier League. As a result, Johnny Russell decided to move to MLS, signing a three-year deal with Sporting Kansas city on January 31, 2018.
The Scotland international made his debut for the Wizards in the opening match of the 2019 season against New York City. Speaking of his debut for the national team, he played his first game for Scotland in November 2014 in a 3-1 loss to England. His main position is left winger, but he is capable of playing as both centre-forward and right winger as well.
Highlighted Team (Vancouver Whitecaps):
Vancouver Whitecaps are yet another Canadian side that compete in Major League Soccer. Vancouver began play in the USA top flight in 2011 and one year later they became the first Canadian outfit to book their place in the MLS Cup play-offs. However, star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy proved to be a big catch for the Whitecaps in the knockout round. Vancouver, though, did remarkably well to win the Canadian Championship in 2015, with the team beating Montreal Impact in the title game.
In 2016 they made it to the final of the tournament as well, but Toronto FC eventually won the trophy. The Whitecaps are owned by Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and Steve Steve Nash, the former NBA star, and they play their home matches at BC Place. Speaking of MLS games, the capacity of the venue is 22.120 and you should know that the stadium was opened back in 1983. The Caps wear white shirts and white shorts when playing at home, while the colour of their away kit is blue.