Sporting Kansas City 6 Vancouver Whitecaps 0: Russell stars with hat-trick
The former Scotland and Derby County forward starred as Sporting moved seven points clear atop the Western Conference.
Russell opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a neat finish from a Roger Espinoza cutback.
That duo combined again just minutes later, Russell surging into the area before finding the bottom corner.
Peter Vermes' Sporting made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark, Jimmy Medranda producing a wonderful 25-yard strike from the left.
What. A. Goal. @jimmymedranda for @SportingKC #SKCvVAN https://t.co/XR08bNH8mM— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 21, 2018
The first half got even worse for the Whitecaps after a rash challenge from Kendall Waston on Espinoza led to a scuffle.
Yordy Reyna and Efrain Juarez were sent off following a video review after remonstrating with Russell.
Only a Stefan Marinovic penalty stop to deny Ilie saved the Whitecaps from conceding once more to finish the half.
Russell completed his hat-trick shortly after half-time with a neat finish from an angle, before Cristian Lobato made it 5-0.
10' Johnny Russell16' Johnny Russell48' Johnny Russell #SKCvVAN pic.twitter.com/h4iEg1bZFx— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 21, 2018
Yohan Croizet added a sixth for Sporting in the 77th minute as they made the most of their numerical advantage in a resounding win.