Sporting KC
Legendary Sporting KC keeper Tim Melia announces retirement
Goalkeeper Tim Melia announces his retirement from professional soccer after an illustrious and record-breaking career.
From stopping PKs in shootouts and keeping clean sheets, to lifting two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophies, Tim Melia retires as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Sporting Kansas City history.
Before joining SKC, he spent time in the USL first and second divisions before joining MLS-side Real Salt Lake in 2010. In 2012, he joined Chivas USA before being released in 2014. Melia officially signed with Kansas City for the 2015 season, after a call up to the club during his stint as the league pool goalkeeper.
His first season at the club was nothing short of a breakthrough.
Melia solidified himself as the starter by May and put together a season that saw him become the 2015 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. In that same season, he saved two penalty kicks in the U.S. Open Cup final that would earn him Man of the Match and help Sporting lift the trophy.
Credit: Thad Bell
It didn’t take long for Melia to rise in the ranks of the best goalkeepers in the league.
Thank you! pic.twitter.com/pm9lA6t5GX
— Tim Melia (@TimMelia28) April 3, 2025
In 2017, he was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and earned a spot on the MLS Best XI. Melia lead the league in almost all goalkeeping categories that season and once again led the team to another U.S. Open Cup title.
His heroics were once again on display during that run as he saved another two penalties in the semifinal round against the San Jose Earthquakes.
The 2018 season saw Melia hit several career highs including regular season saves (111) and regular season shutouts (13).
A nightmare between the sticks for opposing penalty kick takers, Melia once again showed off his cat-like reflexes in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs by saving three PKs against San Jose.
Screw it! 13 minutes of Tim Melia highlights 🧤🎬
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) April 3, 2025
Melia provided countless memorable moments for the club and its fans throughout his tenure as goalkeeper for Sporting Kansas City.
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Now THIS is someone I’m going to miss. I have SO many good memories of him, probably consistently my favorite SKC player, and not just because I played goal in hockey. I’ll always be salty that he never got a chance with the national team.
Such a good point about the USMNT. Shame he never got that call.
Dancer, gentleman, and club legend. You will be missed, thanks for all the clean sheets and ice cold pk shoot outs.
I have to ask… dancer?
LEGENDARY Dancer….
I’m just as lost as ever… should I know this about Tim? Are you both messing with me?