Sporting KC acquired forward Erik Hurtado on Dec. 14, 2018, from Vancouver Whitecaps FC. In six seasons with the Whitecaps, Hurtado contributed 17 goals and 13 assists in 123 matches (47 MLS starts) across all competitions after being selected fifth overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.
2020: Earned Sporting KC Goal of the Year honors for his world-class volley in a 2-1 win over Nashville SC on Oct. 11. MLS regular season: Started three of 15 appearances and scored five goals (376 minutes played). Came off the bench to score the game-sealing goal with a sweet volley in a 3-1 victory at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Feb. 29. Scored a goal in a 2-1 loss at the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 5. Came off the bench to score a game-winning wonder-goal in a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC on Oct. 11. Scored a goal in a 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire FC on Oct. 17. Came off the bench and scored a goal in a 2-0 win at Real Salt Lake on Nov. 8 as Sporting sealed first place in the Western Conference. MLS is Back Tournament: Made one substitute appearance (1 minute played). MLS Cup Playoffs: Made two substitute appearances (53 minutes played). Played 31 minutes in the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Nov. 22, coming off the bench as Sporting defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw. Played 22 minutes as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 loss to Minnesota United FC in the Western Conference Semifinals on Dec. 3.
2019: MLS regular season: Started eight of 13 appearances and scored two goals (815 minutes played). Missed the first four months of the campaign due to injury before making his MLS debut for the club at New York City FC on July 26. Scored a superb match-winner in a 3-2 victory at Seattle Sounders FC on Aug. 4, his first MLS start in a Sporting uniform. Scored a dramatic late winner in a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC on Aug. 22 at Children's Mercy Park. Concacaf Champions League: Started one of three appearances (115 minutes played). Featured in both wins over Deportivo Toluca FC in the Round of 16, making his debut for Sporting in a 3-0 first-leg win on Feb. 21 at Children's Mercy Park. Open Cup: Did not feature.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
The Santa Clara University product and former US youth international recorded seven goals and five assists in his first two professional seasons, capped off by a 64th-minute equalizer in the MLS Cup Playoffs in his postseason debut on Oct. 29, 2014 against FC Dallas.
In 2015, Hurtado helped the Whitecaps to their lone Canadian Championship title with an 87th-minute game-tying assist in the semifinal series before garnering European experience on loan with Mjondalen in the Norwegian first division. Hurtado would make a dozen appearances during the five-month loan spell, highlighted by his goal against second-place Stabæk, coached by current LAFC manager Bob Bradley.
Hurtado earned a contract extension at the conclusion of a 2016 campaign in which he logged two goals and two assists in MLS play, while matching that production with two goals and two assists in the 2016-17 Concacaf Champions League. Hurtado scored in both CCL fixtures against Sporting Kansas City, as the Whitecaps emerged from the group stage as the top-seeded team in the tournament and advanced all the way to the semifinals.
More recently, Hurtado has compiled six goals and three assists since the start of the 2017 season, including his game-winning goal in Vancouver’s 1-0 victory over Sporting KC at Children’s Mercy Park on Sept. 30, 2017 and an 84th-minute equalizer off the bench in the Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC on Aug. 8, 2018.
