Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1, Sporting Kansas City 4 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's quest to come from behind and secure an Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs berth is on thin ice, as Sporting Kansas City came from behind to win 4-1 on Wednesday at BC Place.

Both teams were eager for a win in this game, with Sporting making a push to clinch a top two seed in the Western Conference and avoid the Knockout Round. But Vancouver sit three points and two places below the playoff line, and will need to pick up points in their final two games and get plenty of help if they are to reach the postseason after this loss.

The Whitecaps grabbed the lead just before halftime, as Felipe, back in the starting lineup after seeing his playing time curtailed in recent weeks, scored his first goal for the club with a one-timer blast.

Sporting tied up the game just after the hour mark, as Yohan Croizet scored his third goal of the season -- and second against the Whitecaps in two games -- from an unlikely forward run and cross by Matt Besler. Then Daniel Salloi popped up to score the winner in the final 10 minutes, as Khiry Shelton fought to win a ball on the edge of Vancouver's box, then sent a feed to Salloi to bury.

Sporting's 16-year-old midfielder Gianluca Busio scored his first goal in second-half stoppage time off a feed from Johnny Russell, followed by Salloi tapping in his second from the door-step on the final kick of the game, to ice the result.

Goals

42' – VAN – Felipe | WATCH
62' – SKC – Yohan Croizet | WATCH
82' – SKC – Daniel Salloi | WATCH
90+4' – SKC – Gianluca Busio | WATCH
90+7' – SKC – Daniel Salloi | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: It's a backbreaker for Vancouver, who have a tough game on Sunday against LAFC coming up. For Sporting, this result is huge, as they are in a four-team fight for a Knockout Round bye as things stand right now.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Salloi had work to do on the winner, but full credit to Shelton for putting in the effort to set the play and goal up.

Daniel Salloi gives @SportingKC the lead late! #VANvSKC https://t.co/BGXiVtq0lW
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2018

MAN OF THE MATCH: All three of Peter Vermes' substitutions made a difference, as Busio, Russell and Shelton combined to turn a loss into a blowout win. Each of the three played a part in the comeback, but let's give the nod to Shelton, a player known for his tireless work rate and team play, proving to be a key player on the night when his team needed him.