Whitecaps, Mattocks upset SKC 2-0

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Darren Mattocks scored for the fourth time in the last five games to help the Vancouver Whitecaps beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 on Sunday night.

Vancouver (7-4-11) also took advantage of an own goal by Sporting defender Igor Juliao to hand Kansas City (11-6-6) its first loss in Major League Soccer play since May 31.

Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer (14) battles for the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps defender Andy O'Brien.
Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports

The Whitecaps took the lead in the 17th minute when Juliao and Kansas City goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum got their signals crossed after Vancouver's Pedro Morales lofted a long ball towards goal. Juliao tried to head a pass back toward Gruenebaum, but it dribbled over the line.

Vancouver doubled the advantage in the 30th minute when Morales and Mattocks pounced on a Kansas City turnover in midfield and broke back the other way. Morales drew a defender towards him before squaring the ball to Mattocks, who made no mistake in slotting a low shot past a helpless Gruenebaum for his sixth of the season.