Whitecaps win 3-0, extend Sporting KC’s skid

Vancouver Whitecaps' Sam Adekugbe, back, battles for the ball with Sporting Kansas City's Andre Luiz during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Thomas Müller had a goal and an assist, Brian White and Rayan Elloumi each added a goal and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat Sporting Kansas City 3-0 on Saturday night.

The Whitecaps (13-4-4) lead the Western Conference with 43 points and are tied with Eastern Conference-leading Nashville (52 points) for the best goal differential (plus-30) in all of MLS.

André Luiz, acquired from Greek club Olympiacos FC on Aug. 18, made his MLS debut for Kansas City when the 24-year-old designated player subbed on for Shapi Suleymanov in the 66th minute.

Müller converted from the penalty spot, his third goal in the past five games, to open the scoring in the 40th minute.

Sporting (4-15-3) are winless in six straight. Kansas City is last in MLS with 15 points, 20 goals scored and a minus-34 goal differential. Orlando has the next worst goal differential at minus-17.

Oliver Larraz played a first-touch cross, off a clearance attempt, from the right side of the area to White for a back-heel finish from the top of the 6-yared box in the 48th and Elloumi capped the scoring with a first-touch finish from point-blank range in the 90th.

White has 13 goals this season, tied for fourth most in MLS.

Vancouver’s Yohei Takaoka, who did not record a save, has 10 shutouts this season, second most in the league (Hugo Lloris, 11).

Stefan Cleveland had three saves. The 32-year-old has allowed at least one goal in each of his 13 starts this season.

The Whitecaps beat Kansas City 3-0 at home on April 17.