By The Numbers presented by KDOT: #NYCvSKC

"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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Sporting Kansas City (10-5-10, 40 points) returns to MLS action on Wednesday after a long layoff, traveling to face New York City FC (14-7-5, 47 points) in a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Yankee Stadium. The match will air live on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, ESPN 99.3 FM and La Grande 1340 AM.

The Sky Blues are unbeaten in nine straight MLS home games at Yankee Stadium, but Sporting Kansas City will be fully rested for the encounter with hopes of regaining first place in the Western Conference. We break down the compelling interconference matchup in our By The Numbers preview.

Head-to-head

• Sporting KC has won each of the previous two meeting against an NYCFC team that joined MLS in 2015. Manager Peter Vermes' men won 1-0 at Yankee Stadium in March 25 before prevailing 3-1 last July at Children's Mercy Park.
• Sporting KC defender Ike Opara has scored in both appearances against NYCFC, heading home the winner at Yankee Stadium in 2015 and rounding out the scoring in last summer's 3-1 triumph.
• Midfielders Benny Feilhaber and Jimmy Medranda also scored for Sporting KC in last season's win over NYCFC, whose first-half goal from Frank Lampard wasn't enough to salvage a result.

New York City FC

• 2017 MLS record: 14-7-5, 47 points (2nd in East)
• 2017 MLS home record: 9-1-3 (29 GF, 16 GA)
• Last five games: 3-1-1, 10 points (L-W-W-W-T)
• Last MLS match: T 1-1 at New York Red Bulls on Aug. 25
• NYCFC is 7-0-2 in MLS home matches since the end of April.
• NYCFC is second in MLS with 1.85 goals scored per game and tied for first with 50 assists.
• NYCFC ranks second in shots on target per game (5.3) and third in average possession (55.6%).
• NYCFC leads MLS with 61 yellow cards this season.
• Forward David Villa leads the MLS Golden Boot race with 19 goals, three more than any other player, and has also contributed nine assists.
• Forward Jack Harrison is second on NYCFC with eight goals, while midfielder Maxi Moralez is second on the team with seven assists.
• Midfielder Alexander Ring leads MLS with nine yellow cards and ranks fourth with 48 fouls committed.
• Defender Alexander Callens leads MLS defenders with 1,302 passes completed this season.

 Sporting KC

• 2017 MLS record: 10-5-10, 40 points (3rd in West)
• 2017 MLS away record: 2-5-5 (6 GF, 11 GA)
• Last five games: 2-1-2, 8 points (T-W-T-L-W)
• Last MLS match: W 2-0 vs. FC Dallas on Aug. 19
• SKC's 0.76 goals against average and 19 goals conceded are the lowest marks in MLS this season.
• SKC is third in MLS with 14.2 shots per game while allowing a league-low 9.8 shots per game.
• SKC leads MLS in passes per game (510) and passing accuracy (83.3%) while ranking second in average possession (56.9%).
• SKC is third in MLS with 9.0 chances created from open play per game.
• SKC is unbeaten (2-0-6) in eight games against Eastern Conference opponents this season.
• SKC has won four straight MLS matches against New York sides dating back to 2015, including two against the Red Bulls.
• Sporting KC has scored six road goals this season, the second-fewest in MLS. However, the club has allowed just 11 road goals, five fewer than any other team.
• Goalkeeper Tim Melia has the best goals against average in MLS at 0.76 in addition to posting a league-high 10 shutouts. His 79.6 save percentage is the best among keepers with at least four appearances this season.
• Midfielder Ilie is fourth in MLS in passes completed (1,437) and ranks second among midfielders with 48 interceptions.

Milestones and Miscellany

• Defender Saad Abdul-Salaam and midfielder Jimmy Medranda are both one shy of their 75th appearances for Sporting KC in all competitions.

Team stats (2017 regular season)

MLS rank in parenthesis (source: Opta)