The Chicago Fire are looking to bounce back from their first loss in league play in nearly three months this Saturday, going back on the road to face Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park (7 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago Plus). It’s an intriguing matchup between two of the league’s top-performing squads this season and two clubs with a rich history against one another.
Check out a few of the key figures and storylines entering Saturday’s clash below, and be sure to head to the official Watch Party at Heineken Pub97 to enjoy the game and kick off MLS All-Star week in Chicago.
11
The Fire rank third overall in MLS in goals scored this season (38) but will be looking to add to their mark of 11 goals in 10 road matches played thus far. If the Fire can score two goals Saturday night, it would mark the club's first multi-goal game in seven all-time outings at the current home of Sporting KC, Children’s Mercy Park.
3
In contrast to the Fire, Sporting KC has struggled to score at times this season, standing fifth from the bottom in goals scored (25). In a bit of a surprise, however, SKC (with one additional game played) has placed only three fewer shots on goal than Chicago, with both teams ranking in the top five in MLS in shots on goal.
0.71
Peter Vermes’ side has thrived at the other end of the pitch, however, with a sparkling 0.71 goals against average that stands head and shoulders above (or below) the other 21 MLS clubs, all of whom stand at 1.00 GAA or higher. Goalkeeper Tim Melia is thriving in his third season with SKC and is a strong midseason candidate for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors
28
Saturday marks the 28th all-time road match for the Fire against the Kansas City-based club. Chicago is 8-10-9 all-time in Kansas City, with a 1-3-3 record in seven games played at what is now Children’s Mercy Park.
+27
In 51 all-time regular season meetings, the Fire own a commanding +27 goal differential (86-59) in the lifetime series vs. Sporting KC.
97
The Fire are venturing into one of MLS’ toughest environments for visiting teams in Children’s Mercy Park, a venue that has hosted 97 consecutive MLS sellouts for Sporting KC entering this weekend. Vermes and his side are unbeaten (6-0-4) in 10 home games this season and have not lost on their home pitch in MLS since September 13 of last year.
6
This is a reference to the shirt number of the influential Dax McCarty, whose familiar No. 6 is likely to be seen in the Fire midfield on Saturday for the first time since June 24. The U.S. international has arrived back into his club with a 2017 Gold Cup championship added to his resumé -- as has his USMNT teammates and SKC defenders Graham Zusi and Matt Besler.
35
Thirty-five is the number of days between home dates (July 1 and August 5) for the Men In Red, who after Saturday night can look forward to a long-awaited return to Toyota Park, where the club is riding an eight-game home winning streak. A bounce-back performance and three road points in KC would set up a sweet return to the Fire's home turf when the New England Revolution pay a visit next Saturday, Aug. 5.