Sporting KC: Team of the Decade
By Nathan Dunn
![27 September 2015: Sporting KC fans in the Blue Hell section cheer in a match between Sporting KC and Seattle Sounders Sporting Park in Kansas City. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) 27 September 2015: Sporting KC fans in the Blue Hell section cheer in a match between Sporting KC and Seattle Sounders Sporting Park in Kansas City. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/6243f25817edbbc8b585ffc2251b68355effa86db6b6d971be94e45c4097ff79.jpg)
Sporting KC enjoyed a terrific decade, including an MLS Cup, three U.S. Open Cups and a Supporters’ Shield. But who makes their Team of the Decade?
This decade was a decade full of new innovation for Kansas City’s MLS franchise. It all started with the rebranding of the old Kansas City Wizards to the new Sporting Kansas City, which simultaneously opened with their new stadium, originally named Livestrong Sporting Park and is now called Children’s Mercy Park. Then, after winning three trophies, Sporting KC opened Pinnacle in 2018, one of the country’s most high-tech and best training facilities.
Throughout this time, the organization has had some very talented players, although some positions were definitely stronger than others. To take a look at some of the best players that have featured for Sporting KC — and the Wizards — here is the MLS Multiplex Team of the Decade.
Related Story. Sporting KC: Top 10 Players of the Decade. light
It should be noted that Peter Vermes almost always used the 4-3-3, so that is the formation used for our Sporting KC Team of the Decade.
Goalkeeper
Tim Melia
Tim Melia is preferred over Jimmy Nielsen. More flexible in shot-stopping and hasn’t had as good of a defense as Nielsen did. While Nielsen was a good keeper, I don’t believe ‘The White Puma’ was as quick to respond to shots as Melia was.