Sporting KC: Top 10 Players of the Decade

By Nathan Dunn | Dec 29, 2019

Sporting KC's Graham Zusi and Matt Besler, right, celebrate with the MLS Cup after defeating Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup Final at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. Kansas City won on penalty kicks. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) /

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Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia rolls the ball out to a teammate during their CONCACAF Champions League game at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Missouri on February 21, 2019. (Photo by Tim Vizer / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIM VIZER/AFP/Getty Images) /

5. Tim Melia

A very strange way to earn a starting job, Tim Melia took over from Luis Marin following the Chilean’s massively disappointing performances in the team’s opening eight games. Peter Vermes would not regret that decision. Melia has played 147 games since and his 2015 campaign earned him the 2015 MLS Comeback Player of the Year award.

Melia has played an important role in SKC winning the U.S. Open Cup in 2015 and 2017, which earned him a spot in the 2017 MLS Best XI and the 2017 Goalkeeper of the Year award after allowing 0.78 goals per game.

The New Jersey native leads the all-time club record for shutouts with 47 (tied with Jimmy Nielsen), games played with 147, wins with 62, and is on the verge of overtaking Tony Meola for most saves. Melia has also been sensational against penalty kicks, where he has stopped 10 of the 27 penalties he has faced (not including penalty shootouts).

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