How Sporting KC potentially saved its season ... and set up a first-place showdown

As he approached the halftime locker room Wednesday in Vancouver, Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes prepared his plan. During a playing career that spanned 15 years, Vermes felt he never lacked passion for a match. “Not even once,” he said. “I never really understood why that was an issue for some players.”

But on this night, it appeared problematic the club he coached. And the timing of it was perplexing. Maybe it was the product of nerves for a big moment. Or maybe it was simply a lull. But he didn’t need the diagnosis. He just needed the solution.

So in the visiting locker room at BC Place, Vermes pulled a few players aside and told them to prepare for a quick second-half entrance.…