12:30 p.m. Sunday vs. Sporting KC TCF Bank Stadium • FS1, 1500-AM
Rivalry renewed in the big leagues
Preview: Minnesota United (2-5-2) faces strong competition in Western Conference leader Sporting Kansas City (5-1-3), which has allowed the fewest goals in the league at just three. United's offense has sputtered in the past four matches, scoring just three goals compared to 10 in the first five. This will be Kansas City's third match in nine days, however, having won two home matches, 3-0 on April 29 and 2-0 Wednesday.
This history: Despite it being United's first season in MLS, the Loons already have established a bit of a rivalry with Kansas City. The teams met in a U.S. Open Cup match in 2014, a 2-0 victory for Kansas City against a 10-man United. They met again in the tournament last season, a 2-1 victory for Kansas City in extra time that also saw 11 yellow cards. Kansas City is the closest Western Conference team geographically to United at about 435 miles. The Eastern Conference's Chicago Fire is about 408 miles away.
Numbers: Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer is second in the league with 15 shots on goal and fifth with 30 total. He has scored five goals with one assist. Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia has a league-best six shutouts as well as 27 saves for fifth in the league.
Injuries: United midfielder Bernardo Anor (leg) and Thomas de Villardi (Achilles') are out; midfielder Collin Martin is questionable. Kansas City forward Diego Rubio (ACL) is out.
Megan Ryan
