Playoff-hungry Whitecaps face tough test in Sporting KC

VANCOUVER — Vancouver Whitecaps attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld generally wants the best for his fellow Scotsman Johnny Russell.

This weekend, though, will be the exception as the pair face off in Major League Soccer play for the first time.

The Whitecaps (9-9-10) look to climb the table as they host Russell and the high-scoring Sporting KC (15-6-7) at B.C. Place on Sunday.

“I’ll swap tops with him after the game and that,” said Gauld, a 25-year-old native of Aberdeen. “It’ll be good to play against him. He’s been flying for them and just signed a new contract as well. I’m happy for him, but I hope he’s not too happy after Sunday.”

Gauld said he chatted with Russell, a 31-year-old winger from Glasgow, before signing with Vancouver as a designated player at the end of July.

“He only had good things to say not only about Vancouver and the Whitecaps but about the league itself. He’s loved it ever since he came over,” he said.

“There’s a perception kind of in Europe that this isn’t the best league, but I can see for myself since coming here how much quality’s in the league. The teams are really, really good.”

The Whitecaps have been quite good since adding Gauld to the roster. Vancouver is 6-2-4 in MLS play since the beginning of August and sit a single point below the playoff bar in the Western Conference.

Gauld has been a key piece in the club’s attack, creating numerous chances and chalking up two goals and four assists in 12 games.

He has often fed striker Brian White, who has scored each of Vancouver’s last six goals, including the ‘Caps lone tally in a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders last week. The 25-year-old American has 10 goals since being dealt to the Whitecaps by the New York Red Bulls at the beginning of June.

Games at B.C. Place have been a particular strength for the Whitecaps this year. The Whitecaps had to start the season playing out of Sandy, Utah, due to pandemic-related border closures but have gone 5-1-0 since returning to their home stadium on Aug. 21.

“We leave everything at B.C. Place. We do it for each other, we do it for our fans and we do it for our city,” said forward Tosaint Ricketts.