By The Numbers presented by KDOT: #SKCvMIN

"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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Second-place Sporting Kansas City (6-4-4, 22 points) hosts Minnesota United FC (4-7-2, 14 points) on Saturday. The Western Conference clash kicks off at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes, Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish).

Few teams pass the ball more successfully than Sporting Kansas City, and their possession and control of the ball is a main strength, but Peter Vermes’ men are facing a team that they have already lost to this season. Minnesota United hasn’t won an away game yet in the MLS regular season. We take a statistical look at the matchup in our By The Numbers preview...

Head-to-head

• The sides last met on May 7 at TFC Bank Stadium in Minneapolis when Minnesota earned a 2-0 win behind goals from Abu Danladi and Christian Ramirez.
• Sunday presents the second MLS meeting between the clubs, who have previously battled twice in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Sporting KC defeated the Loons 2-0 in the 2014 Round of 32 at Children's Mercy Park and most recently prevailed in the same round of the 2016 edition, earning a 2-1 extra time win at National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.

Minnesota United FC

• 2017 MLS record: 4-7-2, 14 points (9th in West)
• 2017 MLS away record: 0-4-2 (9 GF, 19 GA)
• Last five games: 2-3-0, 6 points (L-W-L-L-W)
• Last MLS match: W 1-0 vs. Orlando City SC on Saturday
• Minnesota conceded 18 goals over their first four games, going 0-3-1, but have allowed just six in their last five.
• Minnesota has won two of its last three home games, defeating Sporting Kansas City 2-0 on May 7 and ousting Orlando City SC 1-0 last Saturday, May 27.
• Minnesota ranks first in interceptions (15.4), second-to-last in duels won (44.8), and last in goals conceded per game (2.3).
• Forward Christian Ramirez is tied for third in MLS with eight goals and tied for fourth in the league with 19 shots on target.
• Minnesota has scored eight goals between the 46th and 60th minutes, two more than any other team in MLS.

 Sporting KC

• 2017 MLS record:6-4-4, 22 points (2nd in West)
• 2017 MLS home record: 5-0-1 (13 GF, 2 GA)
• Last five games: 1-3-1, 4 points (L-T-W-L-L)
• Last MLS match: L 2-0 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday
• Midfielder Ilie, defender Matt Besler and goalkeeper Tim Melia have played in every minute of the 2017 regular season.
• Forwards Dom Dwyer and Gerso are tied for seventh in MLS with 18 shots on target.
• Midfielder Ilie ranks fourth in MLS with 866 successful passes in 14 games, while midfielder Roger Espinoza ranks 10th with 714 successful passes.
• Sporting KC ranks second in MLS in passing accuracy (82.5%).

Milestones and Miscellany

• Defender Ike Opara is one shy of his 100th career MLS regular season appearance.
• Forward Dom Dwyer is one shy of his 125th regular season appearance for Sporting KC.
• Goalkeeper Tim Melia is one shy of equaling his single-season career-high of eight shutouts.

Team stats (2017 regular season)

MLS rank in parenthesis (source: Opta)