Sporting Kansas City crashed out of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League with a 2-1 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Tuesday at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Diego Rubio scored for the hosts shortly after halftime, but a 41st-minute goal from Erik Hurtado and a 93rd-minute strike from 15-year-old Alphonso Davies clinched first place in Group C for Vancouver and eliminated Sporting Kansas City from North America’s premier club tournament.
Tuesday’s match was delayed for two hours in the 35th minute as inclement weather passed over the Kansas City area.
Manager Peter Vermes made wholesale lineup changes from Friday’s 3-3 draw with the Houston Dynamo.
The back line featured two loanees from the Swope Park Rangers as Amer Didic partnered Ike Opara in central defense and left back Tyler Pasher earned his Sporting KC debut.
Rangers midfielder Ualefi patrolled the center of the park alongside Emmanuel Appiah and captain Paulo Nagamura, while forward Diego Rubio was flanked by Cameron Porter and Connor Hallisey up top. Goalkeeper Tim Melia returned from a back injury to make his first appearance since July 24.
Vermes’ men started brightly, creating a flurry of chances within the first 10 minutes. Hallisey’s left-footed volley from 30 yards dipped narrowly over the crossbar before Rubio rifled just wide after turning his defender on the left edge of the box. Pasher showed his promise shortly thereafter, crossing low to Porter who skied his shot from a tight angle.
The contest burst to life after the two-hour weather delay as both clubs traded attacking punches. Vancouver drew first blood in the 41st minute when Davies squared low across the face of goal to Hurtado, who slotted home for his second goal in as many Champions League matches vs. Sporting KC.
Forward Kris Tyrpak, on loan from the Swope Park Rangers, made his Sporting KC debut after halftime and was immediately involved in the team’s bid for an equalizer. Nagamura powered down the right endline and cut the ball back to Tyrpak, who couldn’t quite direct his shot on target.
Rubio would draw the sides level in the 55th minute, collecting a cutback pass from Seth Sinovic, creating a pocket of space on the edge of the penalty area and firing into the net off the far post. The 23-year-old Chilean has now scored in all three competitions for Sporting KC this season, opening his Champions League account after previously netting in the MLS regular season and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Vancouver almost reclaimed the lead just two minutes later, but Melia produced a phenomenal kick save to deny Fraser Aird. Nagamura then went close at the other end, seeing his long-range blast palmed wide by goalkeeper Spencer Richey.
The visitors would steal all three points – and seal progression to next year’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals – with a fortuitous goal in the 93rd minute. Davies cut into the middle from the right side and unleashed a powerful strike that deflected off Ualefi and into the net, marking the second straight game that Sporting KC has conceded in second-half stoppage time.
Tuesday’s result knocks Sporting Kansas City out of the CONCACAF Champions League group stage with a game to spare. The Group C finale will take place Oct. 19 when Trinidadian outfit Central FC travels to Children’s Mercy Park for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Sporting Kansas City now looks ahead to Sunday’s pivotal MLS regular season meeting with the second-place LA Galaxy (11-4-14, 47 points) at Children’s Mercy Park.
Currently fifth in the Western Conference standings, Sporting Kansas City will continue its playoff push against a Galaxy side that acquired Landon Donovan last week after the U.S. soccer legend came out of retirement. Sunday’s nationally televised showdown will kick off at 1 p.m. on FOX, and a limited number of tickets are still available via Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL.
– Story from Sporting KC