Sporting Kansas City 0-0 Columbus Crew: Visitors hold on after being reduced to 10 men

Zack Steffen recorded his sixth consecutive clean sheet as Columbus Crew overcame playing a man down for the entire second half to hold hosts Sporting Kansas City to a goalless draw on Sunday.

Columbus played the second half with just 10 players after midfielder Federico Higuain received a red card late in first-half stoppage time.

However, Sporting Kansas City could not get past Steffen, who established a franchise goalkeeper record for most minutes without allowing a goal (495) while recording his MLS-leading seventh shutout of the season.

Steffen made three saves as the Crew stretched their unbeaten streak to seven matches (4-0-3). Goalkeeper Tim Melia stopped a penalty among his three saves for Sporting K.C., who are unbeaten in their past four matches (2-0-2).

SKC forward Khiry Shelton came close to breaking the deadlock in the 51st minute. Steffen saved Shelton's right-footed shot, and Shelton hustled to his left to collect the rebound and he hammered a left-footed shot that hit the outside of the left post.

SKC forward Daniel Salloi drilled a right-footed shot in the 63rd minute, but Steffen deflected it away with his right forearm.

Crew forward Gyasi Zardes had an opportunity in the 70th minute, but his header off a corner kick was saved by Melia.

Just one minute later, SKC had a great chance as midfielder Yohan Croizet collected a pass in the box, but his close-range left-footed shot was wide to the left.

Sporting K.C. took 15 shots, Columbus had 12. After the game's first 10 minutes, Steffen had set a new franchise record for consecutive minutes without a goal, surpassing the mark of 414 minutes set by Will Hesmer in 2011.

Columbus had the best first-half scoring chance when Zardes lined up for a penalty kick in the 43rd minute. Zardes kicked the ball to the right of the goal, and Melia anticipated the direction correctly and was able to make a diving save.

Melia also stymied Zardes in the 24th minute when he got his right hand on Zardes' point-blank header.