The dismantling took place six months ago, but Sporting Kansas City warned it would linger with Vancouver, that its early-season blowout might play a factor in a rematch with playoff implications aplenty. “We’re expecting some real intensity from them,” Sporting coach Peter Vermes had said.
As it turned out, it wasn’t the intensity from Vancouver that was an overriding factor.
It was the late-arriving emotion from Sporting KC.
After a lifeless opening half, Sporting KC awoke just in time for a 4-1 comeback victory at Vancouver late Wednesday, pushing forward its hopes to return the postseason to Children’s Mercy Park for the first time since 2013.