By The Numbers presented by KDOT: #ATLvSKC | May 9, 2018

"By The Numbers" is a season-long series sponsored by The Kansas Department of Transportation, giving a statistical preview of every Sporting KC match.
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The top two teams in Major League Soccer's Supporters' Shield standings will square off Wednesday when Sporting Kansas City (6-2-2, 20 points) visits Atlanta United FC (7-1-1, 22 points) at world-class Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The mouthwatering matchup will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish).

Under the guidance of Manager Peter Vermes, Sporting KC has collected seven points from their first four road games this season, but a daunting test awaits as arguably no team is more devastating on its home turf than Atlanta United FC. Gerardo "Tata" Martino's men score goals for fun, and Wednesday's contest could go a long way in deciding who sets the tone in the Supporters' Shield race. We take a statistical look at the matchup in our newest installment of By The Numbers.

Head-to-Head

• The inaugural meeting between the sides took place on Aug. 6, 2017, at Children's Mercy Park. Benny Feilhaber gave the hosts a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, but substitute Jacob Peterson haunted his former club with a 91st-minute equalizer against the run of play.
• Atlanta's seven shot attempts and two shots on goal against Sporting KC were both their second-fewest of the 2017 season.
• Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan has a 1-3-1 record and a 2.00 goals against average in five career regular season appearances against Sporting KC.

Atlanta United FC

• 2018 MLS record: 7-1-1, 22 points (1st in East)
• 2018 MLS home record: 4-0-1 (18 GF, 5 GA)
• Last MLS match: W 2-1 at Chicago Fire on May 5
• Last five MLS matches: 4-0-1, 13 points (W-T-W-W-W)
• Atlanta is 7-0-1 with 23 goals scored and 6 conceded since losing their season opener 4-0 at Houston on March 3.
• Atlanta leads MLS with 23 goals scored in eight matches this season.
• In 13 home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta is 9-1-3 with 44 goals scored (3.4 goals per game). Atlanta has scored at least two goals in every home game at the venue dating back to 2017.
• Atlanta is 4-0-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season, boasting a league-best home goal difference of plus-13.
• Since joining MLS in 2017, Atlanta has scored a league-best 93 goals in 43 regular season matches (2.16 per game). During the same time period, Atlanta's 15 clean sheets are tied for most in the league.
• Forward Josef Martinez leads MLS with seven goals this season. He has scored 26 times in 29 regular season appearances dating back to 2017.
• Midfielder Miguel Almiron is tied for second in MLS with six goals and leads the league with 49 shots. He has amassed 15 goals and 19 assists in 39 regular season appearances dating back to 2017.
• Defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and midfielder Chris McCann lead MLS with four yellow cards apiece.

 Sporting KC

• 2018 MLS record: 6-2-2, 20 points (1st in West)
• 2018 MLS away record: 2-1-1 (8 GF, 6 GA)
• Last MLS match: W 1-0 vs. Colorado Rapids on May 5
• Last five MLS matches: 3-1-1, 10 points (W-W-T-W-L)
• Sporting KC is 2-1-1 away from home this season with eight goals scored. The club is one shy of surpassing its away win total from 2017 (2-8-7).
• Sporting KC is tied for second in MLS with 21 goals scored through 10 games. The club also leads the league in shots per game (18.4) and passing accuracy (84.3 percent).
• Forward Johnny Russell is tied for fifth in MLS with five goals. He also leads the league in penalties won (three) and touches in the opponent’s box (81) while ranking third in shots (35).
• Midfielder Roger Espinoza is tied for third in MLS with five assists, tying his career-high in the regular season. He also ranks eighth in the league with 75 duels won.
• Forward Daniel Salloi is one behind Espinoza with four assists. Sporting KC is 6-1-1 this season when he starts.
• Defender Graham Zusi is fourth in MLS with 27 interceptions and leads MLS defenders with 21 chances created.
• Defender Matt Besler ranks fourth in MLS in both clearances (48) and successful passes (586).
• Midfielder Ilie ranks third in MLS with 590 successful passes and ranks second among field players with 91 recoveries.

Milestones and Miscellany

• Midfielder Ilie is one shy of his 50th game and start for Sporting KC in all competitions.
• Goalkeeper Tim Melia is one shy of his 100th career MLS appearance (including playoffs).

Team stats (2018 regular season)

MLS rank in parenthesis (source: Opta)