Sporting KC will continue great MLS start
Sporting KC host the Columbus Crew in a possible preview of the Major League Soccer Cup final. Of course, the MLS Cup final won't take place until December, but both sides are playing great football after 13 regular season matches.
Columbus are third in the Eastern Conference on 24 points. The club's performance this term has been in spite of the myriad of off the pitch problems surrounding the Crew. Manager Gregg Berhalter has a team built on defence. The Crew have allowed the fewest goals in the entire league (10) and Berhalter's squad has posted a +8-goal difference.
The club's weakness is in the attack. Columbus have scored just 18 goals in 13 matches so far. Offseason signing Gyasi Zardes has tallied eight of the team's goals. The 26-year-old currently leads MLS in scoring. His addition has given the Crew a veteran goal scorer with international experience. Meanwhile, the ageless Frederico Higuain has tallied three goals and four assists.
Sporting sit atop the MLS Western Conference. Peter Vermes' team has secured 24 points as well. The club is fourth in MLS in scoring with 24 goals and go into the fixture with a +11-goal difference. Since week 4 of the MLS season, Sporting's defence has improved greatly. The club allowed nine goals in its first four matches. Since then, Sporting have conceded just four goals in eight games. With Columbus' lack of scoring this term, Sporting's defence may have an easy day at home this weekend.
Averaging two goals per game, Sporting are led in the scoring department by Felipe Gutierrez and Johnny Russell with five goals apiece. Gutierrez is currently injured and will miss the next two to three months due to hernia surgery. Russell signed with Sporting in the winter from English Championship side Derby County. He is thriving in MLS and his style of play has fit in well with league. He may well prove to be the signing of the season.
Both clubs average more than 53% possession per game. The teams base their attack around keeping the ball for long periods before cutting through the final third. Sporting average the highest total of shots per game (18.8) and best pass accuracy (84.7%).
Despite Columbus sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, the club has been poor on the road this term. The Crew have obtained eight points from 18 away from home and scored just three goals. In three matches against Western Conference teams this season, the Crew have lost just once.
Sporting have recorded 13 points from 18 at home. The club's Sporting Park has been a fortress with the team allowing just six goals, while scoring 13. Sporting are too good at home currently and with the Crew faring poorly on the road, Vermes' team will pick up all three points on Sunday.
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