By The Numbers presented by KDOT: #MINvSKC | May 20, 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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67%   The percent of alcohol-impaired deaths where the driver had a BAC of .15 or higher.

The Western Conference leaders spring back to action Sunday as Sporting Kansas City (7-2-2, 23 points) visits regional rival Minnesota United FC (4-7-0, 12 points) at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kickoff set for 1 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). We take a statistical look at the matchup in our newest installment of By The Numbers as Sporting KC looks to continue its strong run of form away from home.

Head-to-Head

• Sporting KC and Minnesota met four times last season in all competitions. The sides split the regular season series 1-1-1, with SKC going 0-1-1 at TCF Bank Stadium.
• The sides last met on Oct. 7, 2017, playing to a 1-1 draw in Minneapolis after Diego Rubio and Brent Kallman traded goals in either half.
• Sporting KC won both meetings last year at Children's Mercy Park, prevailing 3-0 on June 3 and securing a 4-0 win in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on June 14.
• Defender Ike Opara scored in both home wins over Minnesota last season.

Minnesota United FC

• 2018 MLS record: 4-7-0, 12 points (7th in West)
• 2018 MLS home record: 3-2-0 (6 GF, 6 GA)
• Last MLS match: L 1-3 vs. San Jose Earthquakes on May 12
• Last five MLS matches: 2-3-0, 6 points (L-W-W-L-L)
• Minnesota has conceded 91 goals since the start of 2017, more than any other team.
• Minnesota has scored eight of its 13 goals this season after the 60th minute.
• Minnesota has been outscored 14-3 in the first half of matches this season.
• Each of Minnesota's victories this season have come by a one-goal margin.
• Minnesota is 3-0-0 when scoring the first goal this season and 1-7-0 when allowing the first goal.
• Midfielder Miguel Ibarra is tied for the MLS lead with three game-winning assists.
• Defender Francisco Calvo is tied with Ike Opara for fourth in MLS with 55 clearances.
• Defender Rasmus Schuller leads MLS with 40 tackles win, ranks third with 34 interceptions and ranks seventh with 83 duels won.
• Forward Darwin Quintero leads Minnesota with 16 chances created despite playing in just six of the team's 11 games. He joined the side on March 31 from Mexican powerhouse Club America.

 Sporting KC

• 2018 MLS record: 7-2-2, 23 points (1st in West)
• 2018 MLS away record: 3-1-1 (10 GF, 6 GA)
• Last MLS match: W 2-0 at Atlanta United FC on May 9
• Last five MLS matches: 3-1-1, 10 points (W-T-W-L-W)
• Sporting KC is 3-1-1 away from home this season with 10 goals scored. The club has already surpassed its away win total from 2017 (2-8-7).
• Sporting KC is tied for second in MLS with 23 goals scored through 11 games. The club also leads the league in shots per game (18.4) and passing accuracy (84.7 percent).
• Forward Johnny Russell is tied for seventh in MLS with five goals. He also leads the league in penalties won (three) and touches in the opponent’s box (84) while ranking fifth in shots (36).
• Midfielder Roger Espinoza is tied for fourth in MLS with five assists, tying his career-high in the regular season.
• Forward Daniel Salloi leads MLS with a combined five goals (three) and assists (two) of the game-winning variety. He is one behind Espinoza with four total assists, and Sporting KC is 7-1-1 this season when he starts.
• Defender Graham Zusi is eighth in MLS with 28 interceptions and leads MLS defenders with 21 chances created.
• Defender Matt Besler ranks fourth in MLS in successful passes (647), while fellow center back Ike Opara ranks fourth in clearances (55).

Milestones and Miscellany

• Sporting KC is one shy of its 100th regular season away win all-time.

Recent #MINvSKC regular season meetings

• Regular season record vs. Minnesota: 1-1-1
• Regular season away record at Minnesota: 0-1-1

Team stats (2018 regular season)

MLS rank in parenthesis (source: Opta)