CCL: Vancouver takes charge in MLS battle

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Aug 24, 2016

The Vancouver Whitecaps took command of Group C in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League with a 3-0 win over MLS rival Sporting Kansas City. Cristian Techera and Erik Hurtado scored in the first 12 minutes to stake the 'Caps to a lead as they snapped a five-game winless run against Sporting KC.

Center back Kevin Ellis was the lone player to keep his starting spot for Sporting KC from the team that beat Vancouver, 2-0, in MLS action on Saturday. Only two players -- Kendall Waston and Fraser Aird -- kept their places for Vancouver.

An errant pass by Ellis led to Techera's first goal. Four minutes later, Hurtado doubled Vancouver's lead, splitting the Sporting KC defense and chipping charging keeper Jon Kempin from 20 yards. Techera added a second goal in the second half for Vancouver, which has lost four straight games in MLS.

The 'Caps opened up a five-point lead over Sporting KC. They can clinch Group C with a win or tie when the MLS teams meet on Sept. 13 at Children's Mercy Park in the return game. A win at home against Trinidad & Tobago's Central FC on Sept. 28 will also send the 'Caps into the quarterfinals.

Aug. 23 in Vancouver
Vancouver Whitecaps 3 Sporting KC 0. Goals: Techera 8, 64, Hurtado 12.
Vancouver -- Tornaghi; Levis, Parker, Waston, Smith; Techera (Davies 76), Teibert, Laba (Jacobson 91+), Aird; Kudo, Hurtado (Perez 68).
Sporting KC -- Kempin; Abdul-Salaam, Didic, Ellis, Alvarado; Nagamura, Mustivar (Ualefi 64), Appiah; Porter, Rubio, Hallisey.



Week 3, Results:
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23
Alianza FC (SLV) 1 Antigua (GUA) 1
Pachuca (MEX) 3 Police United (BLZ) 0
Vancouver Whitecaps 3 Sporting KC 0

Week 3, Schedule:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24
Don Bosco (HAI) vs. Arabe Unido (PAN)
Tigres (MEX) vs. Plaza Amador (PAN)
Real Esteli (NCA) vs. FC Dallas
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25
W Connection (TRI) vs.  Honduras Progreso (HON)
Dragon (SLV) vs.  Saprissa (CRC)

Standings:
Group A: UNAM 6 points; W Connection, Honduras Progreso 0.
Group B: Saprissa, Portland Timbers 3 points; Dragon 0.
Group C: Vancouver Whitecaps 6 points; Sporting KC, Central FC 1.
Group D: Arabe Unido, Monterrey 3 points; Don Bosco 0.
Group E: Pachuca 6 points; Olimpia 3; Police United 0.
Group F: NY Red Bulls 4 points; Alianza 2; Antigua 1.
Group G: Tigres 3 points; Herediano, Plaza Amador 1.
Group H: FC Dallas, Suchitepequez 3 points; Real Esteli 0.

Week 2, Results:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18
Suchitepequez (GUA) 1 Real Esteli (NCA) 0
UNAM (MEX) 2 Honduras Progreso (HON) 0
Saprissa (CRC) 6 Dragon (SLV) 0
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17
Monterrey (MEX) 2 Arabe Unido (PAN) 3
Herediano (CRC) 1 Tigres (MEX) 3
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16
Central FC (TRI) 2 Sporting KC 2
Alianza FC (SLV) 1 NY Red Bulls 1
Olimpia (HON) 4 Police United (BLZ) 0

Week 1, Results:
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2
Central FC (TRI) 0 Vancouver Whitecaps 1
Pachuca (MEX) 1 Olimpia (HON) 0
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3
W Connection (TRI) 2 UNAM (MEX) 4
NY Red Bulls 3 Antigua (GUA) 0
Portland Timbers 2 Dragon (SLV) 1
Don Bosco (HAI) 0 Monterrey (MEX) 3
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4
FC Dallas 2 Real Esteli (NCA) 1
Plaza Amador (PAN) 1 Herediano (CRC) 1