With the 2020 MLS season on temporary hold, SportingKC.com is taking daily strolls down memory lane with an "On This Day" web series that celebrates memorable moments in team history. As one of Major League Soccer's proud charter members, Sporting has a decorated past full of thrilling victories, amazing goals, momentous off-the-field developments and more. "On This Day" pays tribute to these specific instances, turning back the clocks while treating fans to nostalgia and club history lessons. To catch up on the series as it unfolds, visit SportingKC.com/OnThisDay.
On April 20, 2018, Johnny Russell and Sporting Kansas City lit up Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
In a scintillating Friday night performance at Children's Mercy Park, Manager Peter Vermes' men cruised to a 6-0 victory behind Russell's hat trick and additional goals from Jimmy Medranda, Cristian Lobato and Yohan Croizet.
By scoring a half-dozen goals without reply, Sporting tied its largest margin of victory in club history while delivering the Whitecaps their heaviest defeat ever. Vancouver never really stood a chance, as the visitors conceded three times within the first half-hour before midfielders Yordy Reyna and Efrain Juarez received straight red cards for violent conduct during a mass altercation at the end of the first half.
The memorable contest saw Sporting rewrite the record books in an offensive onslaught, tying single-game highs in shot attempts (34) and shots on target (14). Russell’s hat-trick was the eighth in Kansas City regular season history at the time — and just the second in 2010 — while captain Matt Besler moved into first place all-time on the club’s regular season charts in matches started (228) and minutes played (20,551).
As it turns out, supporters will have the opportunity to rewatch this game in its entirety this Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City.
