Sporting Kansas City’s 2018 campaign delivered thrills from beginning to end, packing entertainment, emotion and drama on a weekly basis as Manager Peter Vermes’ side ascended to the top of the Western Conference table and brought the MLS Cup Playoffs back to Children’s Mercy Park.
In a year chalk full of stunning goals, wild wins and momentous developments off the pitch, assembling the top 12 moments of 2018 was no easy task. There simply hasn’t been a dull moment over the last 12 months, which is why this season will be fondly remembered well into the future.
Nevertheless, SportingKC.com has taken its best shot at counting down the dozen moments of 2018 that stood out above the rest. The countdown will run from Dec. 20-31, beginning with No. 12 on Dec. 20 and culminating with the No. 1 moment of 2018 on New Year’s Eve.
The Countdown: #12: Winning in Atlanta |#11: Signing Kalen Ricketson |#10: The comeback vs. Houston |#9: The opening of Pinnacle |#8: Melia silences Zlatan |#7: Fireworks in Vancouver | #6: Johnny Russell's hat-trick
A home playoff match? Check.
A single-season record for goals scored? Check.
Sporting Kansas City’s emphatic 3-0 victory at FC Dallas on Oct. 21 sealed a top-four finish in the Western Conference, ensuring the MLS Cup Playoffs would return to Children’s Mercy Park for the first time since 2013. The result also prompted a rewriting of the history books, as Sporting KC broke their 22-year club record for most goals in an MLS season.
Sporting KC’s devastating salvo at Toyota Stadium—which saw Daniel Salloi, Roger Espinoza and Johnny Russell find the net—put an exclamation point on what was a remarkable offensive campaign for the team. To date, the 2018 squad boasts all-time club bests in goals, road goals, assists, shots, chances created and big chances created.
Needless to say, this was a day to celebrate for Sporting KC, who also received defensive help en route to the shutout. Tim Melia, who finished the game with five saves, pushed aside Reto Ziegler’s penalty kick in the 49th minute to keep the visitors ahead 1-0. In doing so, Melia stopped his third penalty of the season and his sixth since the start of 2017, both the most in MLS. He also took his clean sheet total to a career-high 13 in 2018.
Captain Matt Besler, meanwhile, notably became the first player in Sporting KC history to reach 300 competitive appearances and 250 regular season starts for the club.
The crucial win in Frisco vaulted Sporting KC atop the West, a position they would cement seven days later with a thrilling triumph over LAFC at Children’s Mercy Park.
