Sporting KC: Who is on Sporting’s Mount Rushmore?

Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes, right, joins the team in celebrating in the locker room after defeating Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup Final at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. Sporting won on penalty kicks. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes, right, joins the team in celebrating in the locker room after defeating Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup Final at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. Sporting won on penalty kicks. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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KANSAS CITY, KS – JULY 18: Mid-fielder Benny Feilhaber #10 of Sporting Kansas City takes a shot on goal against the Montreal Impact during the second half on July 18, 2015 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KS – JULY 18: Mid-fielder Benny Feilhaber #10 of Sporting Kansas City takes a shot on goal against the Montreal Impact during the second half on July 18, 2015 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)

Benny Feilhaber

While many might think Graham Zusi deserves this spot, Zusi hasn’t been good enough when it mattered the most (no big playoff goals, converted only one of only three penalties in cup finals). Other names like Tony Meola, Davy Arnaud, Chris Klein, Kerry Zavagnin, and Roger Espinoza also might have a case. But I opted for UCLA product, Benny Feilhaber.

Feilhaber isn’t necessarily the man you first think of, but he was at the forefront of so many big moments since joining SKC in 2013. From scoring some of the club’s greatest goals to supplying some big assists, Feilhaber has been there when it mattered, like supplying the assist for the goal that took Sporting to the 2013 MLS Cup.

After joining SKC in 2013, the American international was a major part of three major trophies for SKC. Feilhaber was the penalty specialist, scoring all 13 of his penalties attempted in regular time and missing just one of four penalties in shootouts.

Announcing his retirement in March, Feilhaber officially ended his Sporting KC career with the fourth-most assists and seventh-most goals in club history. And some of them were absolute stonkers. For his consistency, big-time performances, and high-level moments, Feilhaber is the fourth-man on Sporting KC’s Mount Rushmore.