Sporting KC vs Minnesota United preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Children's Mercy Park Thu, 23 Jul - 12:30 AM
Major League Soccer
Sporting KCSKC
2 1
Minnesota UnitedMIN
Full Time Thu, 23 Jul 12:30 AM
Regular Season
Manu García - 54'
Goal
|
Goal

CONTEXT

Match is finished. Sporting KC 2–1 Minnesota United. The result saw Sporting KC take the points. Sporting KC showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline. Possession-adjusted chance creation was in line with projected levels. The end result aligned with the pre-match projection. xG finished Sporting KC 1.3 – 1.7 Minnesota United. Possession was 34%–66%.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: Sporting KC 2-1 Minnesota United. Sporting KC showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: Possession-adjusted chance creation was in line with projected levels.
  • xG alignment: The final outcome was contrary to expected goal differential.
  • Market alignment: End result was aligned with the pre-match projection.
  • xG expectations: Diverging from xG expectations (Classify).
  • Event impact: No major event distortion.
  • Red card distortion: None.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
M. Corrigan
M. Corrigan
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
C. Corte
C. Corte
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
R. Graves
R. Graves
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
R. Touchan
R. Touchan
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Sporting KC R. Wicky
R. Wicky
VS
Minnesota United C. Knowles
C. Knowles
0.73
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.47
1.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
St. Louis City Rank: 61 L
New York RB Rank: 60 L
Austin Rank: 59 W
LA Galaxy Rank: 61 W
Portland Timbers Rank: 61 L
Seattle Sounders Rank: 68 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0.83 i
Last 6 Opponents
Real Salt Lake Rank: 64 D
New England Rank: 60 L
Colorado Rapids Rank: 62 L
Austin Rank: 59 D
Columbus Crew Rank: 66 W
Los Angeles FC Rank: 72 L
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 1 - 4
4

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
52.39
64.3
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Sporting KC
Minnesota United
Power Score
52.39
64.3
League Position
15
9
Global Rank
773
405

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Sporting KC — Opponent-weighted form score
Minnesota United — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Sporting KC Minnesota United

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Sporting KC

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Minnesota United

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Sporting KC ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Minnesota United
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
37.94
28.26
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
28.26
37.94
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Sporting KC +0.67 Efficiency Index
vs
Minnesota United -0.67 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Sporting KC
Minnesota United
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Sporting KC
vs
Minnesota United
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Sporting KC Minnesota United
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
18%
52%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.24 vs -0.86
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Sporting KC Minnesota United
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
52%
18%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.86 vs -0.24
Sporting KC
Minnesota United
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Sporting KC
vs
Minnesota United
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Sporting KC Minnesota United
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Sporting KC 0.29
Minnesota United 0.30
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Sporting KC Minnesota United
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Sporting KC 0.02
Minnesota United 0.05
Sporting KC
Minnesota United
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • MIN had peak pressure around 74'.
  • MIN started the game with stronger pressure.
SKC Pressure MIN Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: MIN reached the top pressure at 74' (100.00).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 5 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Sporting KC SKC Home
5 matches
Minnesota United MIN Away
Match Record
0
Wins
4
1
Draws
1
4
Losses
0
Goals
5
Goals Scored
13
13
Goals Conceded
5
-8
Goal Difference
+8
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-07-24T00:00:34+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 3-4-3
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Jul 23, 2026, 12:30 AM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Children's Mercy Park
Capacity
18467
Attendance
15378
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Mathew Corrigan
Christopher Corte
Ryan Graves
Ramy Touchan

Statistics

Possession
SKC
39%
MIN
61%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 1
1 Big Chances Created 2
4 Shots 4
38 Dangerous attacks 53
34 Possession 66
3 Corners 6
7 Free kicks 17
2 Yellow Cards 3

Match Overview

61 Ball Safe 80
6 Goal Kicks 6
9 Goal Attempts 12
4 Substitutions 5
16 Throwins 27
1 Hit Woodwork 1
10 Successful Headers 12
2 Assists 1
19 Dribble Attempts 11
10 Successful Dribbles 3
53 Successful Dribbles Percentage 27

Attacking

50 Attacks 85
0 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

41 Long Passes 36
301 Passes 586
237 Successful Passes 505
79 Successful Passes Percentage 86
9 Key Passes 9
19 Successful Long Passes 15
46 Successful Long Passes Percentage 42

Defensive

9 Saves 5
18 Tackles 17
8 Interceptions 7
45 Duels Won 48

Build-up

7 Total Crosses 22
2 Accurate Crosses 5

Discipline

17 Fouls 7

Lineup

Referee : Mathew Corrigan

Starting XI ▼

30
Stefan Cleveland
Stefan Cleveland Goalkeeper
8.45
5
Or Blorian
Or Blorian Defender
6.66
8
Jake Davis
Jake Davis Defender
7.43
18
Emir Karic
Emir Karic Defender
7.03
99
Jayden Reid
Jayden Reid
Defender79'
6.74
28
Wyatt Meyer
Wyatt Meyer Defender
6.76
4
Lasse Berg Johnsen
Lasse Berg Johnsen Midfielder
6.69
6
Manu García
Manu García Midfielder
7.68
20
Kwaku Agyabeng
Kwaku Agyabeng
Midfielder72'
6.9
7
Capita
Capita Midfielder
7.1
17
Stephen Afrifa
Stephen Afrifa
Attacker72'
6.65
11
Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris Midfielder
7.11
22
Zorhan Bassong
Zorhan Bassong Midfielder
6.31
16
Jacob Bartlett
Jacob Bartlett
Defender79'
6.28
9
Dejan Joveljić
Dejan Joveljić (C) Attacker
7.74
Referee : Mathew Corrigan

Starting XI ▼

12
Drake Callender
Drake Callender Goalkeeper
6.89
2
Devin Padelford
Devin Padelford Defender
6.89
28
Jefferson Díaz
Jefferson Díaz
Defender75'
6.62
15
Michael Boxall
Michael Boxall (C) Defender
6.46
23
Morris Duggan
Morris Duggan Defender
6.63
3
Kyle Duncan
Kyle Duncan Midfielder
6.13
21
Bongokuhle Hlongwane
Bongokuhle Hlongwane
Attacker64'
6.48
13
Anthony Markanich Jr.
Anthony Markanich Jr. Midfielder
6.87
20
Wil Trapp
Wil Trapp Midfielder
6.99
30
Owen Gene
Owen Gene Midfielder
7.01
18
Mauricio Gonzalez
Mauricio Gonzalez
Attacker75'
6.65
8
Tomás Chancalay
Tomás Chancalay Attacker
6.59
24
Julian Gressel
Julian Gressel
Midfielder85'
6.53
9
Kelvin Yeboah
Kelvin Yeboah Attacker
6.92
29
Mamadou Dieng
Mamadou Dieng
Attacker64'
6.79
26
Joaquín Pereyra
Joaquín Pereyra Attacker
8.87

Events

2ND-HALF
85'
Event
Julian Gressel → Tomás Chancalay
9th Substitution
84'
Event
Bongokuhle Hlongwane
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
Event
Jacob Bartlett → Zorhan Bassong
7th Substitution
79'
Event
Jayden Reid → Emir Karic
8th Substitution
79'
75'
Event
Devin Padelford
Header / 3rd Goal
75'
Event
Jefferson Díaz → Devin Padelford
5th Substitution
75'
Event
Mauricio Gonzalez → Owen Gene
6th Substitution
Event
Dejan Joveljić
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
74'
Event
Stephen Afrifa → Capita
3rd Substitution
72'
Event
Kwaku Agyabeng → Manu García
4th Substitution
72'
64'
Event
Mamadou Dieng → Kelvin Yeboah
1st Substitution
64'
Event
Bongokuhle Hlongwane → Kyle Duncan
2nd Substitution
56'
Event
Joaquín Pereyra
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Manu García
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
54'
1ST-HALF
Event
Capita
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
45+2'
Event
Dejan Joveljić
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
28'
21'
Event
Kyle Duncan
Foul / 1st Yellowcard

Match Commentary

90
Attempt Attempt
Stephen Afrifa takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
90
Attempt Attempt
Stephen Afrifa takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Attempt Attempt
Mamadou Dieng's header is saved.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Attempt Attempt
Anthony Markanich takes a left-footed shot, but it misses the target.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Attempt Attempt
Stephen Afrifa takes a right-footed shot but misses.
85
Update Update
Julian Gressel comes on for Tomas Chancalay.
85
Attempt Attempt
Stephen Afrifa takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
84
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
79
Substitution Substitution
Jacob Bartlett is substituted for Zorhan Bassong.
79
Substitution Substitution
Ian James is substituted for Wyatt Meyer.
78
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
77
Attempt Attempt
Calvin Harris takes a shot with his right foot, but it is saved.
75
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
75
Attempt Attempt
Calvin Harris takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
75
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot - Devin Padelford Head Shot Goal
75
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
74
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
73
Attempt Attempt
Mamadou Dieng takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
73
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
72
Update Update
On comes Stephen Afrifa, and Capita goes off.
72
Substitution Substitution
Kwaku Agyabeng is substituted off for Manu Garcia.
72
Attempt Attempt
Joaquin Pereyra takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
69
Attempt Attempt
Tomas Chancalay takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
68
Attempt Attempt
Tomas Chancalay takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
64
Update Update
Bongokuhle Hlongwane comes on for Kyle Duncan.
64
Substitution Substitution
Mamadou Dieng is substituted for Kelvin Yeboah.
58
Attempt Attempt
Lasse Berg Johnsen takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
56
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
54
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Manu Garcia scores with a right-footed shot.
54
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 2-0.
51
Attempt Attempt
Calvin Harris takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
49
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
48
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
47
Update Update
Kelvin Yeboah's header is blocked.
45
Update Update
First half ends with a score of 1-0.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Capita.
45
Attempt Attempt
Dejan Joveljic takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
35
Attempt Attempt
Wil Trapp takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
31
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Or Blorian Head Shot Missed
28
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Dejan Joveljic takes a right-footed shot and scores.
28
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Dejan Joveljic scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Capita.
21
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
15
Attempt Attempt
Morris Duggan takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
15
Attempt Attempt
Kelvin Yeboah takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
10
Attempt Attempt
Manu Garcia takes a right-footed shot but misses.
10
Attempt Attempt
Manu Garcia takes a right-footed shot but misses.
8
Attempt Attempt
Kelvin Yeboah takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
5
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
4
Attempt Attempt
Manu Garcia takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
2
Attempt Attempt
Joaquin Pereyra takes a right-footed shot but misses.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Mathew Corrigan.

CONCLUSION

Final score detail: Sporting KC 2-1 Minnesota United. Structural assessment: Sporting KC exhibited a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline. Efficiency outcome: Possession-adjusted chance creation finished in line with projected levels. Result alignment: The final score was consistent with the pre-match probability model. Market alignment: The match result was within the projected probability range.