Vancouver Whitecaps v Sporting Kansas City: 'We can always rely on Berhalter', says Sorensen

Jesper Sorensen praised the impact of Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter following his return from international duty. 

Berhalter started in five of the United States' six Gold Cup matches, including the final against Mexico where he assisted Chris Richard's opener in the 2-1 defeat. 

But he was unable to halt the Whitecaps' poor run upon his return to club action as they were beaten by the Colorado Rapids, though results have since picked up. 

Vancouver have gone back-to-back MLS games without defeat for the first time since May, having beaten the Houston Dynamo and drawing 1-1 with San Diego FC last time out. 

This weekend, they welcome Sporting Kansas City to BC Place, and could move to the Western Conference summit if San Diego drop points against Nashville SC. 

And Vancouver boss Sorensen believes that his side can always rely on Berhalter to make a positive impact as he continues to push and improve his overall game. 

"Yeah Sebastian came back [after] playing a lot in the Gold Cup. [He] has done amazing." said Sorensen.

"He didn't have his best game against Colorado, and I know he also knew that, but since then he was very good at Houston.

"Sebastian is the example you [the players] have the follow because every day he gives himself the chance to give himself a good career.

"He works every day and you can see he adds to his game every time we see him.

"He is a good player and he has got more confidence now. He is just growing and growing, pushing every day to become a better player and we are trying to help him reach his goals because he wants to do everything and as a coaching staff we have to give the players the best help possible.

"He is a guy who has a big impact on our team and we can always rely on him. He is strong and rarely gets injured, so it is great to have a guy like that on the team."

Vancouver take on a Sporting Kansas side languishing down in 13th in the West, having rescued a point against New York City FC in their last MLS fixture. 

Should Kansas fail to win here, it will be their third longest winless run in the league this season (three matches), behind only the six they managed at the start of the campaign and the four games at the start of May. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

White has been prolific for the Whitecaps this season, finding the net 11 times in just 15 MLS matches.

During the All-Star break, White became the first Whitecaps player to score in an MLS All-Star match, bagging the third goal in their 3-1 win against the Liga MX All-Stars.

Sporting Kansas City – Dejan Joveljic

Joveljic has scored in each of his last four away appearances for Kansas City, the longest road scoring streak by any player in club history. 

He is one of four players with a road scoring streak of four or more matches in MLS this season, and his team will be desperate for him to deliver once again in Vancouver. 

MATCH PREDICTION – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Vancouver recorded 2-1 wins home and away against Kansas City last season, the second time in three years the Whitecaps completed the league double over this weekend's opponents (2022). All four of their wins in that time have been by one-goal margins.

However, after winning eight of their first 11 matches of the season, Vancouver have managed just four victories in their last 12 league games (D4 L4). The Whitecaps had an MLS-high 26 points in the first 11 matches of the season, but rank tied for 15th in MLS with 16 points since.

Kansas City have lost only one of their last five away matches (W2 D2), including a 2-1 win at Colorado on July 4 in their last road match. Sporting have not won consecutive regular-season away matches since a three-match run in July-August 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 60.6%

Draw – 20.7%

Sporting Kansas City – 18.7%