Goalkeeper Coach
ALEC DUFTY was named Sporting KC's goalkeeper coach ahead of the 2017 season.
Under Dufty's guidance, Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia was named the 2017 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and posted even more impressive numbers in 2018 as Sporting reached the Western Conference Championship.
In 2016, Dufty coached a Sporting Kansas City II goalkeeping corps that posted nine shutouts across 34 regular-season and postseason games – including five in their last eight games.
Dufty spent the 2015 USL Championship season with Toronto FC II, coaching a group that finished third in the USL with 125 saves. Starting goalkeeper Quillan Roberts placed second in the league in save percentage (.766) and third in saves per game (4.80).
He previously cut his teeth in coaching at the collegiate level at Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
A former MLS player, Dufty began his playing career with the New York Red Bulls in 2009, going on to make one appearance against the Houston Dynamo before being waived and joining the MLS reserve goalkeeper pool. In 2010, Dufty joined USSF D2 Pro League side AC St. Louis, making 30 appearances before returning to MLS with the Chicago Fire in late 2010. He announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2011 season.
Dufty, who was born in Binghamton, N.Y. and raised in Raleigh, N.C., spent one year at Appalachian State University before transferring to the University of Evansville. With the Purple Aces, he enjoyed a three-year career and was a twice named an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection. Dufty also played for the Raleigh Elite (now Carolina RailHawks U-23’s) in the USL Premier Development League while he was in college. On the international level, Dufty was called in to a U.S. Under-20 National Team camp in 2007.