In a conference-clinching 2-1 victory over LAFC on Sunday, Sporting Kansas City put the finishing touches on a record-setting regular season.
Roger Espinoza's long-range masterclass and Daniel Salloi's clinical game-winner did the trick in a pulsating Decision Day finale at Children's Mercy Park, sealing first place in the Western Conference and a Knockout Round bye to the conference semifinals of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
A third straight victory to end the regular season catapults Sporting KC into the playoffs with plenty of momentum. Manager Peter Vermes' side will begin their MLS Cup pursuit on the road this Sunday, playing either FC Dallas, Portland or Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals. Children's Mercy Park will then host the decisive second leg on Sunday, Nov. 11, marking the first time Sporting KC has hosted a playoff tilt since the 2013 MLS Cup. Tickets for that match are on sale now at SeatGeek.com.
But before we cast our eyes on the 2018 playoffs, let's take a statistical look at what became the best attacking season in Sporting KC's regular season history. Vermes' men set team records for goals, away goals, goal difference, assists, shots and chances created while also finishing high in shots on goal, points and wins.
SPORTING KC: MOST REGULAR-SEASON GOALS
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Games</strong> |
<strong>Per Game</strong> |
1 |
2018 |
65 |
34 |
1.91 |
2 |
1996 |
61 |
32 |
1.91 |
3 |
1997 |
57 |
32 |
1.78 |
4 |
2005 |
52 |
32 |
1.63 |
5 |
2003 |
48 |
30 |
1.60 |
SPORTING KC: MOST REGULAR-SEASON ROAD GOALS
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Games</strong> |
<strong>Per Game</strong> |
1 |
2018 |
31 |
17 |
1.82 |
2 |
2005 |
29 |
16 |
1.81 |
3 |
2007 |
23 |
15 |
1.53 |
4 |
1997 |
22 |
16 |
1.38 |
5 |
2014 |
23 |
17 |
1.35 |
SPORTING KC: BEST REGULAR-SEASON GOAL DIFFERENCE
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<strong>GF</strong> |
<strong>GA</strong> |
<strong>GD</strong> |
1 |
2018 |
65 |
40 |
25 |
2 |
2000 |
47 |
29 |
18 |
3 |
2013 |
47 |
30 |
17 |
4 |
2012 |
42 |
27 |
15 |
5 |
2011 |
50 |
39 |
11 |
SPORTING KC: MOST REGULAR-SEASON ASSISTS
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
<strong>Per Game</strong> |
1 |
2018 |
69 |
2.03 |
2 |
2000 |
67 |
2.09 |
3 |
1997 |
64 |
2.00 |
4 |
1996 |
59 |
1.84 |
5 |
1998 |
53 |
1.66 |
SPORTING KC: MOST REGULAR-SEASON SHOTS
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<strong>Shots</strong> |
<strong>Per Game</strong> |
1 |
2018 |
583 |
17.1 |
2 |
2012 |
542 |
15.9 |
3 |
1996 |
514 |
16.1 |
4 |
2017 |
514 |
15.1 |
5 |
501 |
501 |
14.7 |
SPORTING KC: MOST REGULAR-SEASON SHOTS ON GOAL
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<b>SOG</b> |
<strong>Per Game</strong> |
1 |
1996 |
250 |
7.8 |
2 |
1997 |
222 |
6.9 |
3 |
2018 |
207 |
6.1 |
4 |
1998 |
201 |
6.3 |
5 |
2007 |
181 |
6.0 |
SPORTING KC: MOST CHANCES CREATED
(MLS REGULAR SEASON, 2010-PRESENT)
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<strong>Chances</strong> |
<strong>Per Game</strong> |
1 |
2018 |
462 |
13.6 |
2 |
2012 |
392 |
11.5 |
3 |
2013 |
382 |
11.2 |
4 |
2017 |
377 |
11.1 |
5 |
2011 |
355 |
10.4 |
SPORTING KC: MOST POINTS IN A REGULAR SEASON
(POST-SHOOTOUT ERA, 2000-PRESENT)
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<strong>Points</strong> |
<strong>Record</strong> |
1 |
2012 |
63 |
18-7-9 |
2 |
2018 |
62 |
18-8-8 |
3 |
2013 |
58 |
17-10-7 |
4 |
2000 |
57 |
16-7-9 |
5 |
2011<br>
2015 |
51<br>
51 |
13-9-12<br>
14-11-9 |
SPORTING KC: MOST WINS IN A REGULAR SEASON
(POST-SHOOTOUT ERA, 2000-PRESENT)
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Season</strong> |
<b>Wins</b> |
<strong>Record</strong> |
1 |
2012<br>
2018 |
18<br>
18 |
18-7-9<br>
18-8-8 |
3 |
2013 |
17 |
17-10-7 |
4 |
2000 |
16 |
16-7-9 |
5 |
2004<br>
2014<br>
2015 |
14<br>
14<br>
14 |
14-9-7<br>
14-13-7<br>
14-11-9 |
Sporting KC won't know their conference semifinal opponent until the conclusion of the single-elimination Knockout Round on Thursday night. They will face the lowest-seeded team to advance from the Knockout Round, with No. 4 FC Dallas hosting No. 5 Portland Timbers on Wednesday and No. 3 LAFC hosting No. 6 Real Salt Lake on Thursday. Kickoff times and broadcast details for conference semifinal first legs will also be confirmed Thursday evening.
