Starting XI: He's a Real Keeper

Starting XI, presented by Ford, is a biweekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights 11 of the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City, MLS and soccer around the globe. Click here to visit the Starting XI archive.

Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia has been voted the 2017 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Major League Soccer announced today. In a brilliant third season with Sporting KC, Melia posted MLS career-highs in wins (12), shutouts (10), saves (91), starts (31) and minutes (2,759). Among goalkeepers with at least 15 regular-season appearances in 2017, he led MLS with a 0.78 goals against average, 78.4 save percentage and 69.2-percent passing accuracy. The eighth-year professional also ranked second in shutouts.

Melia becomes Sporting KC’s third MLS Goalkeeper of the Year recipient. He joins the ranks of Sporting Legend Tony Meola (2002) and former captain Jimmy Nielsen (2012), making Sporting KC the first club to have three different MLS Goalkeeper of the Year winners.

2. Heartbreak Hotel

The Swope Park Rangers fell 1-0 to Louisville City FC on Monday in the 2017 USL Cup Final at Louisville Slugger Field on an 88th-minute goal from second-half substitute Cameron Lancaster. The Rangers, appearing in the USL Cup Final for the second straight year since being established as an affiliate of Sporting KC for the 2016 season, again conclude their campaign with a runners-up finish on the road as home teams have now won all seven USL championships.

The Swope Park Rangers, whose lineup on Monday featured six players on loan from Sporting KC and four Sporting KC Academy products, will return to the pitch in 2018 when the United Soccer League expands to a 34-game regular-season slate. SPR season ticket packages and membership in the Harry’s Rowdy Rangers Kids Club are available by calling 888-4KC-GOAL.

3. Searching for Goals

Despite a resolute defensive season that saw the club allow eight fewer goals than any other team, Sporting KC was among the lowest-scoring teams during the 2017 MLS season. With a keen eye for 2018, Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes intends to address that issue in the offseason as the club seeks to add offensive firepower.

“We've created the chances,” Vermes told MLSsoccer.com earlier this month. “Now it's about finding the guy who's going to be hungry enough and technically good enough and calm enough in those moments to put the ball in the back of the net.”

4. Salloi Stars

Sporting KC forward Daniel Salloi delivered a sparkling performance for the Hungary U-21s on Tuesday, scoring a goal and assisting another in a 2-0 victory over Cyprus at AEK Arena in Larnaca, Cyprus. Salloi bagged the match-winner in the 50th minute and set up Attila Haris’ strike with 10 minutes remaining as Hungary vaulted into a tie for second place in Group 6 of UEFA European U-21 Championship Qualifying.

5. Happy to Help

Sporting KC fans can visit SportingKC.com/helpful to cast their vote for the Westlake Ace Hardware Helpful Moment of the Season. Supporters may choose among eight nominees for the year, all of which were voted as winners for Westlake Ace Hardware Helpful Moment of the Month from March through October. One grand-prize winner who votes will receive a $500 Westlake gift card, a $50 SportingStyle gift card and a Sporting KC replica jersey. Voting will remain open through next Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. CT.

6. Mark Your Calendars

As LAFC continue to build a roster for their inaugural campaign in 2018, Major League Soccer on Tuesday announced that the 2017 MLS Expansion Draft will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. CT. In addition, MLS released the full offseason calendar, outlining the important events and dates for teams beginning to make roster preparations for the 2018 MLS season.

7. Captain’s Commentary

Sporting KC captain Matt Besler sat down with NBC Sports soccer analyst Andy Edwards last week to talk all about his new book No Other Home, now available on Amazon.com and at bookstores across Kansas City. In a free-flowing and candid discussion on Edwards' Talkin' Touches podcast, Besler touched on a variety of compelling and insightful topics, including his best and worst experiences at the 2014 FIFA World Cup , his decision to sign a new contract with Sporting KC in 2014 rather than moving to Europe, his very serious and scary concussion in 2016 and the most recent season for club and country, which brought a mix of joy and heartbreak. Click here to listen to the full podcast.

8. The Field is Set

The 32-team field for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is now complete. The last four berths to the quadrennial tournament were secured earlier this week as Sweden, Denmark, Australia and Peru won their respective two-legged playoffs. The results also confirmed the four World Cup pots, as confirmed by FIFA on Thursday morning. The Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place on Friday, Dec. 1 at Moscow’s State Kremlin Palace at 9 a.m. CT.

The biggest surprise from this week's international action saw Sweden stun four-time World Cup champion Italy. The Swedes progressed 1-0 on aggregate after holding the Azzurri to a goalless draw in Milan on Monday, marking the first time since 1958 that Italy will miss the World Cup.

9. Call It a Comeback

Seattle Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey was voted MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Wednesday, winning the honor after returning to the field for a strong 2017 campaign after an irregular heartbeat sidelined him for the second half of 2016. Dempsey tallied 12 goals and five assists in 29 regular season appearances for the Sounders, who are looking to repeat as MLS Cup champions. In another announcement on Wednesday, Atlanta United FC's Hector Villalba took home the 2017 AT&T Goal of the Year award for his long-range banger against Orlando City SC on July 21.

10. Test Prep

The NCAA announced on Monday the field for the 2017 Division I Men's Soccer Championship, featuring four Sporting KC Academy products among the 48-team field. Matthew Lewis (Fordham), Ryan Krutz (Notre Dame), Wes White (Coastal Carolina) and Zach Wright (North Carolina) will begin their respective tournament campaigns in the coming days, with the Men's College Cup slated for Dec. 8 and 10 at Talen Engery Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania.

11. Gridiron Gangs

For the fourth consecutive year, Children’s Mercy Park will host the NCAA Division II Football Championship. The title game will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and the WatchESPN app. Tickets for the game are on sale now via SeatGeek. The 28-team NCAA Division II Football Championship bracket was revealed earlier this week, featuring two-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State and No. 1-ranked Fort Hays State.

Games to Watch (Nov. 17-20)