Team

Fast Facts: Sporting KC 1-0 Chicago Fire - May 3, 2015

  • Sporting KC defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 on Sunday at Sporting Park.
  • With the win, Sporting KC (3-2-4) moved into fourth place in the Western Conference with 13 points.
  • Sunday marked Sporting KC's 99th game played at Sporting Park (including international friendlies).
  • Sunday marked the 50th regular season meeting between Sporting KC and the Chicago Fire.
  • Paulo Nagamura scored the game-winner in the 75th minute.
  • The goal was Nagamura's 13th of his MLS regular season career and fourth in a Sporting KC uniform during the regular season.
  • Nagamura's goal was assisted by Jalil Anibaba and Graham Zusi.
  • The assist was Anibaba's first in a Sporting KC uniform and seventh of his career during the MLS regular season.
  • The assist was Zusi's 41st assist during the MLS regular season. Zusi has the third most assists in club history behind only Chris Klein and Preki.
  • Zusi moved into sole possession of second place in club history for game-winning assists, surpassing Chris Klein, while tallying his 17th game-winning assist on Sunday. Zusi trails only Preki (23).
  • Sporting KC unveiled new all-white third kits on Sunday.
  • Sunday's match was nationally televised on ESPN2.
  • Sporting KC made three changes to their lineup as goalkeeper Tim Melia, defender Seth Sinovic and midfielder Soni Mustivar entered on Sunday.
  • The appearance was Melia's first in a Sporting KC uniform. 
  • Melia's last MLS appearance came exactly one year earlier with Chivas USA on May 3, 2014 in a 4-1 loss to Houston at StubHub Center.
  • Melia led all players with 13 recoveries on Sunday.
  • The start was also Mustivar's first for Sporting KC.
  • Sporting KC is unbeaten in five straight home games against the Fire (3-0-2).
  • Chicago has one win and two total goals in seven all-time trips to Sporting Park (1-3-3 overall).
  • In 2015, the Chicago Fire are 3-0-0 against Eastern Conference teams and 0-4-0 against Western Conference teams.
  • Benny Feilhaber led all players in successful passes with 43 and a 91.49 percent passing accuracy on Sunday.
  • Matt Besler led all players with 13 clearances on Sunday. 
  • Besler and Mustivar led all players in interceptions with five.
  • Besler led all players with six aerial duels won.
  • Sunday's match was presented by Price Chopper. The first 10,000 fans to arrive at Sporting Park received rally towels.
  • Sporting Kansas City welcomed 19,581 fans on Sunday, marking the 58th consecutive MLS sellout at Sporting Park. 
  • Sporting KC will return to MLS action on Saturday when they face Eastern Conference leaders D.C. United at RFK Stadium.