By The Numbers presented by KDOT: #SKCvCLB | May 27, 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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A pair of MLS originals and Supporters' Shield contenders go head-to-head Sunday as Sporting Kansas City (7-2-3, 24 points) welcomes Columbus Crew SC (7-3-3, 24 points) to Children's Mercy Park for a cross-conference clash that will air nationally on FS1. The Retro Night showdown will kick off at 5 p.m. CT and a limited number of tickets are available via SeatGeek.com.

Arguably no MLS team is enjoying a better run of form than Columbus, who are 4-0-2 since late April and have posted four consecutive clean sheets en route to the longest shutout streak of the season. With goalkeeper Zack Steffen patrolling a red-hot backline, potent attackers Gyasi Zardes and Federico Higuain have been equally dangerous going forward. We take a statistical look at the mouthwatering matchup in our latest edition of By The Numbers.

All statistics as of May 24, 2018

Head-to-Head

• Sporting KC is 6-1-1 in its last eight regular season meetings with Columbus since 2013.
• Sporting KC has won each of its last four home games against Columbus since 2013, scoring 11 goals during that stretch. Crew SC last won at Children's Mercy Park on July 28, 2012.
• Sporting KC has scored in 12 straight MLS meetings against Columbus dating back to 2011.
• Just two of Sporting KC's 25 regular season home games against Columbus have resulted in a draw (14-9-2).
• Sporting KC leads the all-time regular season series 25-22-7 with 85 goals scored and 84 conceded.

Columbus Crew SC

• 2018 MLS record: 7-3-3, 24 points (3rd in East)
• 2018 MLS away record: 2-2-2 (3 GF, 2 GA)
• Last MLS match: W 1-0 at New England on May 19
• Last five MLS matches: 4-0-1, 13 points (W-T-W-W-W)
• Columbus is currently amidst a 405-minute shutout streak dating back to April 28, the longest shutout streak of any MLS team this season.
• Columbus has recorded four straight regular season shutouts for the first time since April 2011.
• Columbus has won three straight matches and boasts a 4-0-2 record since April 21.
• Columbus has allowed just two goals in six away games this season, posting a 2-2-2 road record.
• Columbus ranks last in MLS with a shooting accuracy of 35.7 percent.
• Columbus has hit the woodwork 13 times this season, five more than any other team.
• Goalkeeper Zack Steffen boasts a league-best 0.75 goals against average among players with at least five appearances (nine goals conceded in 12 games). He also leads MLS with six shutouts.
• Forward Gyasi Zardes is tied for the MLS lead with eight goals. He scored eight goals in the previous two seasons combined as a member of the LA Galaxy.
• Midfielder Federico Higuain leads MLS with 41 chances created, including a league-best 16 chances created from set pieces. As a team, Columbus ranks second in MLS with 23 chances created from set plays.
• Defender Milton Valenzuela is second in MLS with 14 successful crosses from open play, resulting in two assists.

 Sporting KC

• 2018 MLS record: 7-2-3, 24 points (1st in West)
• 2018 MLS home record: 4-1-1 (13 GF, 6 GA)
• Last MLS match: T 1-1 at Minnesota United FC on May 20
• Last five MLS matches: 3-1-1, 10 points (W-L-W-W-T)
• Sporting KC is 4-0-1 in its last five home games, outscoring opponents 13-4 during that stretch.
• Sporting KC leads the Western Conference in points (24), wins (seven), goals (24), goal differential (+11) and shutouts (five).
• Sporting KC leads MLS in passing accuracy (84.7%), shots per game (18.8) and chances created per game (14.5).
• Forward Johnny Russell is tied for the team lead with five goals and ranks first in MLS with 89 touches in the opponent's box and three penalties won.
• Forward Daniel Salloi's five combined goals (three) and assists (two) of the game-winning variety are the second most in MLS.
• Midfielder Ilie leads MLS with 402 successful passes in the attacking half. He is also tied for second in the league with 25 chances created from open play.
• Midfielder Roger Espinoza has a career-high five assists through 12 games. He also ranks second in MLS with 382 successful passes in the attacking half.
• Graham Zusi leads MLS in touches (1,065) and ranks first among defenders with 23 chances created.
• Goalkeeper Tim Melia is second in MLS in shutouts (five) and goals against average (1.08).

Team stats (2018 regular season)

MLS rank in parenthesis (source: Opta)

Recent #SKCvCLB regular season meetings

• Regular season record vs. Columbus: 25-22-7 (85 GF, 84 GA)
• Regular season home record vs. Columbus: 14-9-2 (44 GF, 40 GA)