By The Numbers: Sporting KC vs Columbus Crew - May 4, 2014

Sporting Kansas City returns to Sporting Park on Sunday to face the Columbus Crew in a top of the table clash. The Crew are currently on a three match unbeaten streak which includes a 1-1 draw last weekend against New York. Columbus are led by first year Head Coach Gregg Berhalter and captain Michael Parkhurst, who was acquired in January. Sunday's match is the first of two meetings in the regular season between the two sides.

Below is a closer look at the two teams in this match's By The Numbers preview.

A few notable stats

• Columbus leads MLS in possession (57.41%), passing accuracy (83.50%), and passes per match (506) while Sporting KC is second (57.14%), third (80.08%, and eighth (416) in those categories.
• Sporting KC has won three of four matches all-time at Sporting Park against the Columbus Crew (+4 goal difference).
• Since making his first MLS appearance (August 2012), Columbus' Federico Higuain is one of two players (the other being Robbie Keane) with at least 20 goals and 15 assists during that time period.
• Sporting KC captain Matt Besler (86.53%) and Columbus captain Michael Parkhurst (89.91%) lead MLS in passing accuracy among defenders with 200 or more passes.
• Since the start of the 2012 season, Sporting KC leads MLS in shots on goal faced (86), goals conceded (28) and chances created (412) in home matches.

Head To Head (MLS regular season)

Overall: 22-21-6

• Home Matches: 12-9-2 (39 goals scored, 38 goals conceded)
• Away Matches: 10-12-4 (36 goals scored, 39 goals conceded)

Team Leaders (MLS regular season)

Team Stats (MLS regular season)

Recent regular season meetings