New season, same Tim Melia.
If anyone needed reminding about his uncanny penalty-stopping exploits, Tim Melia provided just that in Sporting Kansas City’s 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday afternoon at Children’s Mercy Park.
With the hosts leading 1-0 near halftime, the 32-year-old goalkeeper stoned Mexican international Marco Fabian from the penalty spot to keep his side ahead. The save proved decisive in what became Melia’s 40th career regular-season shutout as Sporting claimed all three points in their MLS home opener.
As tough as stopping a penalty kick is—just 16.7 percent of penalties were saved during the 2018 MLS regular season—Melia has oftentimes made the art look easy.