REUNION, FL - The 'Caps shocked the MLS world when they overcame the odds on Thursday but now turn their focus on taking down the top team in the Western Conference in Sporting Kansas City.
Here's what you need to know ahead of the win-or-go-home matchup.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
MLS is Back Tournament - Round of 16
Sunday, July 26, 2020 - 8:08 p.m. PT
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Reunion, FL
TV: TSN1/4 - RADIO: TSN Radio 1040
CINDERELLA 'CAPS: Marc Dos Santos pulled all the right strings in managing the young and undermanned 'Caps to a 2-0 win on Thursday, overcoming the odds to clinch a spot in the Knockout Stage. Now they face Group D winner Sporting KC, who currently sit atop the Western Conference regular season standings. SKC have won four of their first five MLS matches this season (4W-1L-0D), a win total they didn't reach until their 16th match in 2019 (4W-5L-7D).
REVENGE FACTOR: Whitecaps FC hope to avenge their February 29 home opener loss to Sporting KC. Jake Nerwinski, who contributed with his gritty play in the crucial clean sheet versus Chicago Fire FC, scored his second career MLS goal against SKC.
IN THE CLUTCH: Cristian Dajome and Yordy Reyna came off the bench to spark the 'Caps late surge against Fire FC, along with Ali Adnan's aggressive attacking play. Will they be able to solve the Sporting KC defence who are coming off a shutout against Real Salt Lake earlier this week?
YOUNG BUT FORMIDABLE: Derek Cornelius, 22, and Ranko Veselinovic, 21, are likely to man the space in front of goalkeeper Thomas Hasal, 21. The young formidable trio have a tough task ahead in prized SKC striker Alan Pulido, who is the only player in MLS to score or assist in each of his first five matches in 2020.
AT STAKE: The winner advances to the Quarterfinals to face the victors of the Round of 16 matchup between Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution. The Union and the Revs play on Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. PT live on TSN.
BY THE NUMBERS: YORDY REYNA
8: With his eighth career MLS game-winner on Thursday, Reyna is now tied with Camilo for most in club MLS history.
17: Reyna tallied his 17th career MLS assist, moving him into a tie with Russel Teibert at second in club MLS history. Only Pedro Morales has more with 22.
6: No 'Caps player has more games with at least one goal and one assist than Reyna since he made his MLS debut in 2017.
