Match Preview: Sporting KC v Chicago Fire

Sporting KC face Eastern Conference rivals Chicago Fire in the marquee match in Major League Soccer. The match will be televised on NBC Sports Network with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM CT at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.

Head To Head

The two teams have played 42 times in league matches with the Fire having a decisive advantage. There have been 23 Chicago wins, nine draws, and 10 KC victories. Chicago has dominated offensively with 80 goals scored all-time versus KC's 50 goals scored. The last win the series for Sporting was on October 10, 2010 at Toyota Park. 

Chicago has won both matches played this season which includes a 2-1 score at Toyota Park and 1-0 score at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.

Goals

The Chicago Fire have scored two from penalties, three from corner kicks, and five from free kicks (direct and indirect). Sporting has scored five from corners (and conceded none), three from penalties, and five from free kicks (direct and indirect). Chicago has scored more than half of their goals form open play (25 of 42) but Sporting has relied much more on set pieces (13 of 37 from open play).

Both teams have not conceded three goals in a game and four goals or more once. Sporting has a 0.83 goals against average compared to Chicago's 1.17. The Fire have a 1.45 goals scored per game average and Sporting's is 1.23.

Both teams have scored the majority of their goals in the first half (CHI - 24 of 42, SKC - 21 of 37). Chicago's strongest and weakest part of matches is the last 15 minutes of the first half in which they've scored nine goals but conceded the same amount. Sporting's best stretch is in the first 15 minutes with nine goals and worst part in the following 15 minutes with six goals conceded.

National TV

Sporting are 1-1-1 in games on NBC Sports Network this season while Chicago are 2-1-0. The match on June 29 was also televised on NBC Sports Network.

Last 5 Matches (in MLS)

CHI (4-1-0) - 2-4 loss at DC, 3-1 win v HOU, 2-1 win at TOR, 3-1 win v MTL, 2-1 win v CLB

SKC (2-0-3) - 1-1 draw v NY, 2-1 win v TFC, 1-1 draw v HOU, 2-0 win at NY, 0-0 draw at MTL

Individual Leaders