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Vancouver Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini believes there is no limit to where his team can go in MLS if they continue their unbeaten streak against Sporting Kansas City.

The Whitecaps are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, winning four and drawing one, which leaves them sixth in the Western Conference.

With just eight points separating them from the top of the table, and Vancouver having two games in hand on some of the teams above them, Sartini is confident his side can challenge for a top spot.

“We have to fight for the next two home games before the rest and the League Cup, so we really need to fight, and then we can regroup for the last 10 games to try to get to the highest position possible,” said Sartini.

“We need to gain points because everyone is gaining points. It’s very difficult.

“If we keep winning, sooner or later we will be above fifth or sixth place. The only thing we can do is win.”

Sporting Kansas City are on a three-game winning streak, which has taken them off the bottom of the table.

After going through a tough patch, with just one win in five games, coach Peter Vermes highlighted how rotating his squad has helped him get the best out of his players.

“I’m (proud),” Vermes said.

“Each time, no matter what their responsibility is — whether they’re starting, playing 90 minutes or coming on in the second half — the responsibility to come in and contribute to the team has had a very different effect than it did at the start of the season.

“It’s a credit to the players because they’re the ones on the pitch who have to work and make the contributions.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Brian White has scored in four straight games for the second time this season (also in April), the only MLS player with multiple streaks of four or more games with a goal this season.

The only Whitecaps player to score in five consecutive league games was Camilo Sanvezzo in June–July 2013.

Sporting Kansas City – Erik Thommy

Erik Thommy scored his first MLS goal since April in Sporting’s win over San Jose on Saturday with a shot from outside the box.

It was Sporting’s 11th goal from outside the box this season, three more than any other MLS team.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The 10 meetings between the Whitecaps and Sporting Kansas City since the start of the 2020 season have been split, with each side winning four times and drawing twice. Both sides have recorded at least one home and away win in that span.

The Whitecaps are currently unbeaten in their last five home matches in all competitions (W4 D1), including winning their last two at BC Place. Vancouver have not gone six consecutive home matches without defeat in all competitions since October-November 2021.

However, Kansas City has won three of its last four regular-season games after opening the season with three wins from its first 20 games (D5 L12). Saturday’s 2-1 victory at the San Jose Earthquakes snapped an eight-game losing streak away from home in the league for Sporting.

PROBABILITY OF WINNING OPTA

Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.2%

Tie – 25.2%

Sporting Kansas City – 24.6%