Tim Melia made a career-high 10 saves for SKC in its 2-0 win over LA. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia was voted the Major League Soccer player of the week by the North American Soccer Reporters for the sixth week of the season.
The East Islip High School graduate set a Sporting KC regular-season record with his career-best 10 saves in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over the LA Galaxy at StubHub Center.
Melia, the reigning MLS goalkeeper of the year secured his second consecutive shutout as SKC sits atop the Western Conference thanks to a five-game unbeaten streak (13 points, 4-1-1 record). Melia’s 20 saves on the season rank tied for third in MLS while his two shutouts tie for the league lead.
The Galaxy was stifled by Melia despite attempting 22 shots, 10 of them on target Sunday. Melia made a diving stop on Ashley Cole’s long-range shot in the 43rdminute to keep the match scoreless (Watch Save). With Sporting KC up 2-0 in the 66th minute, Melia came up with a big save on Romain Alessandrini’s close-range shot from the right side of the box (Watch Save).
Sporting KC was able to stop a late barrage of shots by the Galaxy including a 77th minute Zlatan Ibrahimović rocket, which Melia parried away at the left post (Watch Save). Melia made saves on two more Ibrahimović shots to close out the match including an 81st minute save on a long-range shot (Watch Save) and an 83rd minute stop on a free kick (Watch Save).
Sporting Kansas City returns to action on Sunday, April 15 to host Seattle Sounders FC at Children’s Mercy Park (4 p.m. ET, ESPN / ESPN Deportes).
The MLS player of the week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters.