By the Numbers presented by KDOT

By The Numbers presented by KDOT: #SJvSKC

By The Numbers - Sporting KC at San Jose Earthquakes - June 17, 2017

"By The Numbers" is a season-long series sponsored by The Kansas Department of Transportation, giving a statistical preview of every Sporting KC match.
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Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City (7-4-5, 26 points) renew their rivalry with the San Jose Earthquakes (5-6-4, 19 points) on Saturday at Avaya Stadium. The match will kick off at 8 p.m. CT with live coverage on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.


Manager Peter Vermes' men have won the last three meetings against San Jose after losing the previous three from 2015-2016. Three road points on Saturday would allow Sporting KC to keep their place at the summit of the West for at least another week. Let's take a statistical look at Saturday's matchup in our By The Numbers preview...


Head-to-head


  • Sporting KC has won three straight meetings against San Jose, including a 2-1 road victory last September, a 2-0 home win on Decision Day last October and a 2-1 decision on March 18 at Children's Mercy Park.
  • The 2-1 result last September was Sporting KC's first victory in San Jose since August 2000, ending an 18-game MLS winless run (including playoffs).
  • Since September 2004, the home team in this fixture is 19-2-2 across all competitions.
  • Sporting KC midfielder Benny Feilhaber has two goals and three assists in his last three appearances against San Jose.
  • San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski has scored eight goals in 14 career regular season appearances vs. Sporting KC.
  • Sporting KC's Dom Dwyerand Kevin Ellis scored in the 2-1 win at San Jose last season.


San Jose Earthquakes


  • 2017 MLS record: 5-6-4, 19 points (7th in Wast)
  • 2017 MLS home record: 3-1-3 (12 GF, 9 GA)
  • Last five games: 1-3-1, 4 points (L-T-W-L-L)
  • Last MLS match: L 2-0 at Portland Timbers on June 2
  • San Jose has lost just one of seven home matches this season (3-1-3), a 4-2 setback to LA Galaxy on May 27.
  • San Jose leads MLS with 228 interceptions and ranks fourth with 222 tackles won.
  • San Jose is second in MLS in both dribbles attempted (315) and dribbles completed (146).
  • Forward Chris Wondolowski leads San Jose in goals (six) and assists (five).
  • Midfielder Anibal Godoy is second in MLS with 103 duels won and tied for second with 41 fouls suffered.
  • San Jose takes a four-year playoff drought into 2017, tied with the Chicago Fire for the longest such skid in MLS.


 Sporting KC


  • 2017 MLS record:7-4-5, 26 points (1st in West)
  • 2017 MLS away record: 1-4-3 (3 GF, 8 GA)
  • Last five games: 2-2-1, 7 points (W-L-L-W-T)
  • Last MLS match: T 1-1 vs. Montreal Impact on June 10
  • Sporting KC is 7-0-2 when scoring the first goal and 0-4-0 when allowing the first goal this season.
  • Sporting KC's 0.69 goals allowed per game are fewest in MLS.
  • Sporting KC leads MLS with 242 shot attempts, while their 144 shots faced are fewest in the league.
  • Sporting KC ranks second in passing accuracy (83.0%) and third in average possession (58.0%).
  • Goalkeeper Tim Melia leads MLS with eight shutouts and an 82.0 save percentage among goalkeepers with at least two games played (per Opta).
  • Midfielder Ilie is second in MLS with 1,015 successful passes.
  • Graham Zusi leads MLS defenders with 28 chances created.
  • Midfielder Benny Feilhaber is tied for third in MLS with 38 chances created.


Milestones and Miscellany


  • Defender Seth Sinovic is one shy of his 150th regular season appearance for Sporting KC.
  • Goalkeeper Tim Melia is one shy of setting a new single-season career-high with nine shutouts.


Recent #SKCvSJ meetings


  • Regular season record vs. San Jose: 24-24-7 (65 GF, 67 GA)
  • Regular season away record at San Jose: 5-16-6 (21 GF, 38 GA)
<strong>Date</strong>
<strong>Result</strong>
<strong>H/A</strong>
<strong>Details</strong>
08/19/2015
L 0-5
H
Chris Wondolowski (2), Cordell Cato (2) and Anibal Godoy score
10/16/2015
L 0-1
A
Wondolowski and Shea Salinas assist Godoy in 47th minute
04/24/2016
L 0-1
A
Wondolowski converts PK in 59th minute
09/24/2016
W 2-1
A
Dom Dwyer and Kevin Ellis score to give KC first win in San Jose since 2000
10/23/2016
W 2-0
H
Benny Feilhaber and Graham Zusi score on Decision Day to seal playoff spot
03/18/2016
W 2-0
H
Feilhaber scores stunner before David Bingham howler seals win