One was making his 100th appearance for Sporting Kansas City in all competitions. The other was celebrating his 28th birthday. And both delivered brilliant performances to earn MLSsoccer.com MLS Team of the Week honors for Week 6.
Tim Melia racked up a regular season club-record 10 saves and Johnny Russell scored a stunning solo goal to propel Sporting Kansas City to a resolute 2-0 road win over the LA Galaxy on Sunday night at StubHub Center. Their MLS Team of the Week inclusion is the cherry on top of a sweet victory that lifts Manager Peter Vermes’ men into a tie for first place in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Melia picked up his second straight clean sheet in eye-opening fashion, landing Audi Player Index Performance of the Week recognition. The goalkeeper made four of his career-high 10 saves from shots inside the box and also completed 31 of 32 passes in his own half. His best moment of the night came late in the first half when he dove at full extension to push Ashley Cole’s swerving shot onto the crossbar.
Russell, who became the third player in club history to score a regular season goal on his birthday, tallied his second goal of the season, put both of his shots on target and created two chances. The 28-year-old Scot was a menace for an LA Galaxy side that has failed to beat Sporting Kansas City in seven straight meetings.
Lastly, center back Ike Opara snagged a spot on the Team of the Week bench. The reigning MLS Defender of the Year anchored Sporting KC's second consecutive shutout effort and finished with five recoveries, five clearances and three tackles as well as a crucial headed block in the first half to deny Rolf Feltscher.
First-place Sporting Kansas City will now return home to host back-to-back Western Conference champions Seattle Sounders FC at 3 p.m. CT on Sunday. Tickets for Faith and Family Day at Children's Mercy Park are available online at SeatGeek.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL to purchase the Coca-Cola Sunday Family Four Pack (four tickets, four Coca-Cola products, four chips and four hot dogs).
