With the 2020 MLS season on temporary hold, SportingKC.com is taking daily strolls down memory lane with an "On This Day" web series that celebrates memorable moments in team history. As one of Major League Soccer's proud charter members, Sporting has a decorated past full of thrilling victories, amazing goals, momentous off-the-field developments and more. "On This Day" pays tribute to these specific instances, turning back the clocks while treating fans to nostalgia and club history lessons. To catch up on the series as it unfolds, visit SportingKC.com/OnThisDay.
The hype surrounding newly acquired Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic was palpable heading into LA’s home game against Sporting on April 8, 2018. The Swedish superstar's MLS arrival was straight from a Hollywood script, as he had scored arguably the greatest goal in league history just eight days earlier to seal an epic 4-3 victory over LAFC in the inaugural installment of El Trafico.
This Sunday night FS1 showdown was supposed to be an extension of the Zlatan Show.
Except Tim Melia never got the memo.
Two years ago today, Melia set a career-high and equaled a club record with 10 saves, many of which left onlooking fans exasperated at Dignity Health Sports Park.
On the opposite end of the pitch, birthday boy Johnny Russell emasculated the LA backline with a wonderful solo goal to give Sporting the lead after 56 minutes. Not long later, Daniel Salloi found the back of the net to seal a momentous 2-0 triumph.
