Emmanuel Sabbi scored one goal and provided an assist as the Vancouver Whitecaps marked their best start in club history with a 3-0 win against Sporting Kansas City on Friday night.
Bruno Caicedo also scored his first MLS goal in just his third appearance, contributing to the Whitecaps’ three-goal lead within the first half-hour.
Thomas Muller added his fourth goal of the season for Vancouver (7-1-0, 21 points), which has enjoyed an impressive +18 goal differential after playing mostly at home.
The Whitecaps will play one more home game on April 25 against the Colorado Rapids before embarking on eight consecutive away matches due to BC Place hosting 2026 World Cup preparations.
Kansas City (1-6-1, 4 points) faced their fourth consecutive MLS defeat, extending their losing streak to five. Manager Raphael Wicky’s team has been outscored 13-3 in those four league losses.
Vancouver dominated the game, outshooting Kansas City 25-3 and leading 6-1 in shots on target.
Sabbi opened the scoring in the 13th minute after Vancouver intercepted a Kansas City goal kick. White managed to chip the ball over goalkeeper John Pulskamp, but it did not go in.
The ball found Mathias Laborda at the far post, who couldn’t make a goalbound effort under pressure. Sabbi capitalized on the loose ball, finishing it in off the crossbar.
Caicedo created the second goal in the 23rd minute, intercepting a poor pass and finishing from the edge of the area off the inside of the far post.
A long clearance intercepted at midfield allowed the hosts to score again in the 28th minute. Sabbi set up his second assist, crossing from the right for Muller to head it firmly past Pulskamp.