Atlanta United vs. Sporting KC: Offense vs. Defense

Atlanta United (7-1-1) hosting Sporting KC (6-2-2) on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is more than a possible MLS Cup preview between the top team in the East taking on its counterpart from the West.

The game will feature the league’s best offense against the best defense from the start of the 2017 season through last week’s games, according to stats provide by MLS.

Atlanta United has scored 93 goals since its inaugural game against New York Red Bulls on March 5, 2017. That is more than any other MLS team. They are averaging 2.16 goals per game and are one of just two teams averaging more than two goals per game. Toronto is the other (2.02 per game).

Atlanta United has scored at least three goals 16 times, which is more than any other team.

Atlanta United is unbeaten in its past eight games and leads the league this season with 23 goals scored because of an attack that features league-leader Josef Martinez’s seven goals and Miguel Almiron’s six.

But stopping teams is just as important as scoring.

Since the start of the 2017 season, Sporting KC has allowed 41 goals, the fewest of any team. Led by Ike Opara and Matt Besler, they are allowing 0.93 goals per game and are the only team in the league averaging less than one goal against per game.

But Atlanta United isn’t all offense. It has 15 shutouts, which is tied for the most with Sporting KC.

And Sporting KC isn’t all defense. This season, it has scored 21 goals and allowed 12. Atlanta United has allowed 10.

A look at the offenses of both Atlanta United and Sporting KC, individual and team, and where they rank among the MLS leaders (Atlanta United in bold):

Individual

Goals

1. Josef Martinez 7

2. Miguel Almiron 6

T5. Johnny Russell 5

T5. Felipe Gutierrez 5

Assists

T3. Miguel Almiron 5

T3. Roger Espinoza 5

T9. Daniel Salloi 4

Shots

1. Miguel Almiron 49