"Beyond The Box Score" is a weekly series presented by Compass Minerals that takes a statistical dive into every Sporting match, bringing to light the intriguing numbers and factoids that don't appear in the typical box score. To visit the series archive, click here.
The cast of characters that helped Sporting Kansas City seal a deserved 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday at Children's Mercy Park featured two standout stars.
Goalkeeper Tim Melia continued his unfathomable penalty-saving heroics, while center back Winston Reid not only scored the game-winner but delivered one of the league's most well-rounded defensive performances since the Opta era began in 2010.