Sporting Kansas City’s gutsy 1-0 road victory over the Portland Timbers hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Three Sporting KC players—namely midfielder Ilie, defender Ike Opara and goalkeeper Tim Melia — landed MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week honors Monday for their valuable contributions to a defensive performance that stifled Major League Soccer’s highest-scoring team.
Portland entered the fixture with 16 goals through six games but was unable to continue its free-flowing ways against a Sporting KC side that tied a club record with its fourth straight road shutout in the regular season. Manager Peter Vermes’ men have conceded a league-low two goals through six games, thanks in large part to the trio who adorn the newest Team of the Week.
Ilie again provided a steady presence in defensive midfield, completing a game-high 56 passes while adding four clearances, three interceptions and five duels won. The Spaniard has played every minute of Sporting KC’s 2017 campaign as the protective shield in front of the back four.
Opara, who earns Team of the Week honors for the second straight week, put in another colossal shift in central defense. He finished with a game-high nine clearances and effectively man-marked Portland’s center forward throughout the night, limiting the prolific Nigerian to a single shot attempt.
Melia’s three saves on Saturday all came after the 75th minute, the second of which was utterly remarkable. Darlington Nagbe’s cleanly struck volley in the 79th minute would have tied the scoreline, but Melia dove at full extension and finger-tipped the ball onto the frame of the crossbar to preserve Sporting KC’s 1-0 lead. The Sporting KC goalkeeper is off to a brilliant start in 2017, leading MLS with four shutouts and a 0.33 goals against average while ranking third with an 81.8 save percentage.
SBI Soccer's Team of the Week also had a distinct flavor, as Opara and Melia were included in the starting XI and Ilie, Dom Dwyer and Roger Espinoza were on the bench. Dwyer headed home the game-winner in the 53rd minute, his second goal in as many games, and Espinoza completed 43 passes to go along with eight duels won.
Not surprisingly, Sporting KC was named the Team of the Week on Goal.com.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s marquee matchup against fellow unbeaten FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM. Click here for a full broadcast schedule and TV listings.
