Starting XI, presented by Ford, is a biweekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights 11 of the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City, MLS and soccer around the globe. Click here to visit the Starting XI archive.
1. Vexed in Vancouver
Sporting Kansas City fell 2-0 to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday at BC Place as Cristian Techera and Tim Parker scored on either side of halftime. Despite the defeat, Sporting Kansas City (6-3-4, 22 points) remains atop the Western Conference standings, six points ahead of sixth-place Vancouver (5-5-1, 16 points).