
Sporting KC liked what they saw from the journeyman ‘keeper and after a brief training stint with former legendary SKC ‘keeper Jimmy Nielsen down in Oklahoma, the club signed him for good in December 2014. A year later, with a trophy up for grabs at PPL Park, he backstopped the club through seven rounds of penalty kicks en route to its second U.S. Open Cup title in three years.
Vermes isn’t exaggerating. During Sporting KC’s road match against the Portland Timbers three days later, Melia turned in an outstanding Player of the Week-worthy performance and improved his record on the season to 10-6-2. After stints with several lower-division clubs including the Long Island Rough Riders, Rochester Rhinos, F.C. New York, and more, Melia has found a home in Kanas City, and his improbable rise has the club poised for another run at MLS Cup. SKC will look to keep its Supporters’ Shield hopes alive this Friday when it takes on the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium at 11 p.m. ET on UniMás.