Picault's late goal, Takaoka's 5 saves helps Whitecaps beat Sporting KC 2-1
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White (24) and Alessandro Schopf (8) celebrate White's goal against Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia (29) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Credit: AP/DARRYL DYCK
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Fafà Picault scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute and Yohei Takaoka had five saves to help the Vancouver Whitcaps beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 Wednesday night.
Picault replaced Ali Ahmed in the 67th minute and put away a header, off a cross played by Sebastian Berhalter, to cap the scoring a several minutes later.
Vancouver (11-7-5) is unbeaten, with four wins, in its last five games.
Robert Voloder’s own goal — wiping out what looked like a certain goal for Vancouver’s Brian White — gave the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.
Sporting Kansas City’s Willy Agada scored in the 69th minute to make it 1-1. Daniel Salloi’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka but Agada slammed home the putback into a wide-open net.
Kansas City (6-14-5) had won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Ryan Guald scored two goals to help the Whitecaps beat Kansas City 2-1 on May 29.
Vancouver Whitecaps' Bjorn Inge Utvik, front, and Sporting Kansas City's William Agada vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Credit: AP/DARRYL DYCK
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