Regular Season Record: 11-5-7
Points: 40
Goal Differential: 7
Western Conference Rank: 3rd
Total Shots: 284 (12th in MLS)
Last Five Matches: 2-2-1
Away Record: 3-4-3
Third in the East vs. third in the West – Saturday’s matchup between Columbus Crew SC and Sporting Kansas City pits two of the most exciting teams in Major League Soccer against each other.
Sporting KC is coming to MAPFRE Stadium having experienced a rollercoaster of emotions over the past week.
First, SKC defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 in a thrilling comeback that saw Kansas City score four goals in the second half. Then, SKC suffered its worst defeat of the season when it lost 5-0 to the San Jose Earthquakes. On top of it, Sporting lost Benny Feilhaber to a red card, which will see him suspended for the match in Columbus.
Without its leading scorer (eight goals, 13 assists), SKC will look to regain form in a stadium that hasn’t been too welcoming for a visiting Kansas City squad. Sporting is 11-12-4 all-time at MAPFRE Stadium. During the club’s last appearance in Columbus, on July 16, 2014, it was Feilhaber who came through in the clutch, topping off an exciting back-and-fourth match with a game-winning strike in the 93rd minute.
Things are shaping up to be just as exciting this time around as both teams look to stay in the hunt for one of the top spots in their respective conferences. If recent history is any indication, Crew SC will face a difficult task, as Sporting has won each of the last five contests between the two sides.
With a mixture of promising talent and experienced veterans, SKC comes to the Capital City with a well-rounded style of play predicated on offensive efficiency and defensive discipline.
Despite being ranked 12th and 17th in shots and shots on target, respectively, Sporting is tied for fourth in goals scored with 37. The team has the third-best conversion rate in the League at 15 percent, with a shooting accuracy rate of almost 41 percent. SKC is also one of the most dangerous MLS teams in the air having scored 14 goals from headers – the most in MLS by a margin of five.
Though the club ranks 11th in possession, SKC is third in the League in minutes per goal, scoring on average every 55.95 minutes. The team favors to attack from set pieces and through-ball opportunities, ranking third-to-last in passes with 8,596, yet first in assists from set plays with 12.
In addition to Feilhaber, much of Sporting’s attacking prowess comes from Krisztian Nemeth and Dom Dwyer, who have also scored eight goals apiece.
With its balanced offense, Sporting KC doesn’t sacrifice much defensively. Despite conceding eight goals in its last two matches, SKC still ranks in the League’s top half in goals against with 30, and its goal differential of plus seven is the fourth-best in MLS.
Though the past two matches may tell a different story, SKC’s defense stays composed under pressure, as Sporting ranks second in tackles won with 429 and first in interceptions with 591. Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia hasn’t seen a lot of action this season, comparatively-speaking, as SKC ranks first in the League in fewest shots faced with 230.
With Sporting KC’s balance going head-to-head with Crew SC’s possession-oriented and attack-minded style of play, it’s sure to be a clash of the titans at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets here or catch the action on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, CD 102.5 or La Mega 103.1.
