Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia, defender Seth Sinovic and midfielder Felipe Gutierrez have earned MLS Team of the Week plaudits from MLSsoccer.com after playing pivotal roles in Sporting Kansas City's 1-0 victory over Orlando City SC on Saturday at Children's Mercy Park.
Melia picked up his MLS-leading 12th shutout of the year, and in doing so moved past Tony Meola into second place on the club's all-time clean sheet chart with 38 shutouts in the past four seasons, as he made three saves on the night, including twice thwarting Dom Dwyer in one-on-one situations.
Sinovic continues to lock down the left side of Sporting's backline, helping hold an opponent scoreless for the fifth time in six games since the Kansas City native returned to the lineup on August 4. An eight-year veteran with the club, Sinovic shares in the success as Sporting KC became the first team to record 200 regular season shutouts in MLS history on Saturday.
Gutierrez provided the game's decisive moment with his game-winning goal in the 53rd minute, securing the full three points for Sporting Kansas City on a night when forwards Diego Rubio, Daniel Salloi and Johnny Russell were all away on international duty. Gutierrez buried a shot from the top of the box into the lower left corner and now has six goals in his maiden season with Sporting KC.
Saturday's victory vaulted Sporting Kansas City into second place in the Western Conference, one point back of first place FC Dallas. Manager Peter Vermes' men will continue their pursuit of an eighth straight playoff berth this Saturday when the side visits the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium for a 9:30 p.m. CT kick off live on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus and FOX Sports GO.
