To say the Sporting KC defense has been spectacular this season would be an understatement. Through 10 games, the group has allowed just five goals and has posted a League-best six shutouts. So it's no surprise that goalkeeper Tim Melia and defender Ike Opara both earned a spot on Matt Doyle's Q1 Best XI.
Leading the charge is Melia, a veteran goalkeeper who is having a career year in his third season with Sporting KC. The Goalkeeper of the Year candidate leads all MLS goalkeepers in GAA and shutouts and is second in wins and save percentage. Sporting KC goalkeeper coach spoke about Melia and on this week's Sporting KC Show:
Despite Melia's career year, a goalkeeper is only as good as the defense in front of him and Sporting KC's defense has been lights out. The back four features a pair of Best XI players in Matt Besler and Graham Zusi as well as the always reliable Seth Sinovic at the left back position. It is Opara, however, that is earning the most accolades this season including two MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week honors. The 28 year-old defender has started nine of the team's 10 games this season. In those nine games, the opposition has scored just three times.
MLSsoccer.com's Matt Doyle had this to say about Melia and Opara:
Defender of the Year: Ike Opara, Sporting KCSKC have posted six shutouts and allowed three goals – only one from open play – in Opara's nine games. That they got carved up without him this past weekend at Minnesota doesn't exactly strengthen his case, but it doesn't hurt it much, either. This is a tight race between five guys.
Goalkeeper of the Year: Tim Melia, Sporting KCMelia's been very good, and his save on Darlington Nagbe a few weeks back was stunning. He mostly wins this award, though, by being mistake-free and ever-present. Every other 'keeper in MLS has had at least one howler this year, or missed time.
Click here to read the complete article and to see Doyle's entire Best XI which also shows love to Sporting KC's defensive midfielder Ilie.
