Sporting Kansas City injury report: Manu Garcia a doubt for Vancouver Whitecaps trip

Sporting Kansas City heads into Friday night’s clash with the Vancouver Whitecaps dealing with a familiar problem: not enough healthy, reliable players to fix what is already going wrong on the pitch.

Raphael Wicky’s side will arrive at BC Place on the back of four straight losses in all competitions, conceding 13 goals and scoring just three times. Now, heading into a Week 8 fixture against the league’s top overall team, Wicky’s Wizards could face another difficult night.

Midfield concern adds to growing list

Garcia was substituted after 66 minutes against the San Jose Earthquakes a week ago. Sporting went on to lose the game, 3-1. Garcia also missed the midweek 3-0 loss to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.

Garcia has been one of the few players capable of linking midfield to attack, even if the overall output hasn’t been good enough. If he is unavailable or limited, Sporting Kansas City loses one of its only progressive passers, making a struggling attack even more predictable.

Vancouver has conceded just four goals in seven MLS matches. Garcia has one assist this season, but has created multiple chances.

Defensive absences continue to pile up

Wicky will still be without the likes of Zorhan Bassong, Stefan Cleveland, Wyatt Meyer, and Ryan Schewe. All four players are ruled out of the game with longer term issues. Bassong has made one appearance this season, playing 26 minutes before re-aggravating his hamstring injury.

Bassong’s absence continues to limit options at left-back. Jayden Reid will likely once again start in defense. Meyer’s injury is significant, considering how often he had been used before going down. He had made a nice partnership with Ethan Bartlow.

Wicky has used eight different starting XIs in the team’s eight games in all competitions.

The lack of continuity in the back line has been obvious, and the numbers reflect it. Sporting Kansas City has conceded 20 goals in eight games in all competitions.

Vancouver Whitecaps injury issues

The Vancouver Whitecaps are also dealing with injury issues. Coach Jesper Sorensen has several defensive absences. Sporting KC has scored just seven goals. Five of those seven goals were scored or assisted by striker Dejan Joveljic.

Sorensen will be without defenders Sam Adekugbe (Achilles), Belal Halbouni (Knee), Ralph Priso (Hamstring), Sebastian Schonlau (Hamstring), and Ranko Veselinovic (Knee). Midfielder Ryan Gauld is also ruled out due to a knee injury.

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