Match Preview: Sporting KC at NY Red Bulls

Sporting KC return to Red Bull Arena for the second time in as many months to face the New York Red Bulls. NY are still fighting to guarantee a playoff spot while KC are looking to clinch the Eastern Conference regular season title.

Head To Head

Sporting KC has the narrow all-time head to head edge with 18 wins in 45 meetings and 10 matches ending in draws. NY has been very strong at home with 10 wins in 21 home matches and seven of those ending in ties. KC has is unbeaten in their last three matches against NY and conceded one goal or less in the last five matches. Saturday's match will mark the first time these two teams have played three times in a season since 2007.

In this season, Sporting has the advantage with a win at NY and draw at LSP. The only goal scored by NY in the two matches was an own goal. Sporting's win at Red Bull Arena in September handed NY their first home loss of the season.

Goals

Both teams have scored 10 or more goals in the first 15 minutes of matches but KC has been much better defensively during that same period. Sporting has only conceded two goals while NY has given up 12. NY's strength has been in the second half where they have 14 goals in the final 15 minutes and conceded six. 

Sporting KC has yet to allow a goal from a corner kick this season while NY has conceded five (scored six). Half of NY's goals are from open play. NY has not won a match when trailing at halftime (0-7-0) but is perfect when leading at halftime (8-0-0). KC has scored the first goal in 20 of 32 matches while NY has conceded the opening goal in 19 of their 32 matches.

Last 5 Matches (in MLS)

NY (2-2-1) - 3-1 win v CLB, 0-2 loss v SKC, 1-1 draw at NE, 4-1 win v TFC, 0-2 loss v CHI

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

Individual Leaders