So goes Benny Feilhaber, so goes Sporting Kansas City.
A convincing 3-1 victory over star-studded New York City FC extended Sporting Kansas City's unbeaten run to five MLS matches, continuing an impressive turnaround for a club that fell as low as eighth in the West before the Copa America break.
An integral contributor during the upswing has been playmaker Benny Feilhaber, who paced Sunday's dominant win with the game's opening goal and a comprehensive midfield performance. Feilhaber earned MLSsoccer.com and Bleacher Report Team of the Week honors on Monday after tallying his fourth goal in five games across all competitions. Sporting KC's 2015 Most Valuable Player tied an MLS career high with three shots on target while also adding a game-high seven recoveries among field players.
Another standout over the last month has been left back Jimmy Medranda, who landed a spot on Bleacher Report's Team of the Week after scoring his first MLS goal from distance in the 16th minute of Sunday's triumph. The Colombian also made five tackles to help Sporting KC's backline limit a high-powered NYCFC attack to just four shot attempts.
Feilhaber's five combined goals and assists since June 18 -- during which time Sporting KC is 3-0-2 -- are tied for second-most in MLS. Medranda, meanwhile, leads MLS since May 20 with 33 tackles and 32 interceptions while ranking fourth with 45 duels won.
Sporting KC embarks on a two-game road trip this week, beginning 7:30 p.m. CT Wednesday against the Chicago Fire and wrapping up at 8 p.m. CT Saturday versus Colorado Rapids. Both games will be televised locally on 38 The Spot and across the Midwest on SKCTV.
