Before the calendar turns to 2017, SportingKC.com is counting down the top five moments from Sporting Kansas City’s 2016 season. From thrilling wins and heroic performances to contract extensions and playoff runs (we see you, Swope Park Rangers), let’s revisit the very best of 2016.
#5: Peterson provides the Answer | #4: The Besler Game | #3: SPR wins Western Conference | #2: Vermes and Feilhaber commit to SKC | #1: Decision Day Delight
The message for Sporting Kansas City was simple heading into Decision Day: Win, and we’re in.
Peter Vermes’ men promptly delivered on the final day of the regular season, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park to clinch a club-record sixth straight appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
In one of 10 Decision Day matches to kick off simultaneously, fans at sunny Children’s Mercy Park saw Sporting Kansas City in control from wire to wire. The team’s 2016 Offensive MVP struck first as Benny Feilhaber buried a penalty kick in the 27th minute.
Graham Zusi then sealed the result on 88 minutes, collecting a pass from Feilhaber and firing emphatically into the roof of the net. The lethal break downfield ensured Sporting KC a date with Seattle Sounders FC in the Western Conference Knockout Round four days later.
Sporting Kansas City had Tim Melia to thank for the clean sheet. The goalkeeper’s impressive double-save in the 24th minute — he denied a long-range blast from Simon Dawkins before smothering Chris Wondolowski’s rebound attempt — landed MLS Save of the Week honors.
“We made a commitment when I took over [in 2009],” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said postgame. “We want to continue to be competitive. We want to continue to do well and always put ourselves in a position to compete for MLS Cup. Our first goal is making the MLS Cup Playoffs, and we have done that now six years in a row.”
