Here's an in-depth look at Sporting KC's 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, by diving into the major stats, records and milestones.
Sporting KC Team Facts
- Sporting Kansas City defeated 2015 Supporters Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls 2-0 on Saturday at Red Bull Arena courtesy of goals from Benny Feilhaber and Dom Dwyer.
- With the victory, Sporting Kansas City moved back into first place in Major League Soccer with 12 points through five matches with half of those points (six) coming on the road against 2015 playoff teams (Seattle Sounders FC, New York Red Bulls).
- With the victory on Saturday, Sporting KC snapped a 6-game winless streak against the Red Bulls.
- Sporting KC has the best goal differential in the League (+4) along with the LA Galaxy.
- With the win on Saturday, Sporting KC secured consecutive road wins for the first time since July 2014.
Sporting KC Player Facts
- Peter Vermes made three lineup changes on Saturday. Lawrence Olum, Roger Espinoza and Connor Hallisey replaced Soni Mustivar, Jordi Quintilla and Brad Davis.
- Matt Besler (concussion), Brad Davis (concussion), Just Mapp (toe), Soni Mustivar (hamstring) and Paulo Nagamura (lower leg) were unavailable on Saturday due to injury.
- Feilhaber’s finish came off assists from Dom Dwyer and Graham Zusi.
- The 17th minute goal was Feilhaber’s second in as many games after missing the first three matches of the season due to injury.
- Feilhaber has now scored 24 goals in his regular season MLS career.
- The assist was Zusi’s 46th of his career and second in 2016.
- The assist was Dwyer’s seventh of his career and second in 2016.
- Dwyer doubled the lead with a goal in the 60th minute off a long throw-in from second year professional Saad Abdul-Salaam.
- Dwyer has now scored four goals against the New York Red Bulls in seven appearances against New York including three at Red Bull Arena.
- Dwyer is second in goals scored in 2016 with three behind only Joao Plata, Pedro Morales and Chirs Wondolowski.
- Tim Melia made the save on Bradley Wright-Phillips’ attempt. Wright-Phillips led the League in goals in 2015, but has yet to score this season.
- Melia became the first keeper in Sporting KC history to notch at least six saves and one penalty kick save while earning a shutout victory.
- Kevin Ellis excited the match in the 42nd minute after suffering a groin injury.
- Ellis was replaced by Ike Opara, who made his first appearance since April 11, 2015.
- In just 48 minutes of action, Opara became the first MLS player to tally eight clearances, five interceptions and four tackles in 2016.
- Chance Myers came out in the 52nd-minute after pulling his hamstring and was replaced by Saad Abdul-Salaam.
- Feilhaber made his 150th career MLS appearance (including playoffs) on Saturday.
- Graham Zusi moved into second place in Kansas City history with his 46th regular season assist, while Dom Dwyer moved to 4th with his 39th regular season goal.
New York Red Bulls Team Facts
- The Red Bulls were issued a penalty kick in the 60th minute after a Sporting Kansas City defender committed a handball in the box.
- The New York Red Bulls have not won a game in 2016.
- The home team in this series has the serious disadvantage winning just one game out of 10 matches since 2012 (1-5-4). The New York Red Bulls are 1-3-1 at home during that stretch.
- New York Red Bulls eleven goals allowed and seven goals at home are most in MLS this season.
New York Red Bulls Player Facts
- Wright-Phillips had 10 shots on Saturday.
- Wright-Phillips ranks third for shots in 2016 behind only Sebastian Giovinco and Fabian Espindola.
- Co-hosts of the Benny Feilhaber Show went head-to-head on Saturday with both stars earning the start. Sal Zizzo at outside right back for New York and Feilhaber controlling the midfield for Sporting KC.
General Facts
- The club’s official watch party on Saturday was held at No Other Pub in the Power and Light District.
- The match was televised on KMCI-TV’s 38 the Spot.
- With Sporting KC’s two goals on Saturday, all fans can get ½-price Papa Johns online on Sunday using the code SPORTINGKC at checkout.
- Sporting KC returns to the pitch on Wednesday for the club's 20th anniversary as a charter member of Major League Soccer when they host the Colorado Rapids at Children's Mercy Park.
