Category: Sporting KC

Sea Life Aquarium in KC to name octopus after Sporting KC captain

Matt Besler
Matt Besler

The Sea Life Aquarium Kansas City will name its octopus after Sporting Kansas City captain Matt Besler, according to an announcement from the soccer team.

Besler, named KC Sportsman of the Year, represented the United States at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

As part of the event, a silent auction will take place online to give persons an opportunity to win a Besler autographed jersey and soccer ball and other items. Funds raised will go to the Sea Life Aquarium Kansas City’s charity, Sea Life Trust for the conservation of marine wildlife and the environment.

Sea Life Aquarium Kansas City has donated Fisher Price Soccer Sets, which Besler will deliver to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City.
– Story from Sporting KC

Local soccer community celebrates Christmas Truce centennial

Second annual Truce Tournament held at National World War I Museum

Soccer enthusiasts from around the region paid homage to the centennial of the World War I Christmas Truce from 1914 on Friday by participating in the second annual Truce Tournament hosted by Sporting Club, the National World War I Museum, KC Crew and LiveKC.

Approximately 160 participants from 29 teams in the area competed in a 3v3 soccer tournament, while additional soccer fans attended the English Premier League Boxing Day watch party on large projection screens inside the National World War I Museum.

The Miracles of the Marne from Liberty, Mo. eventually claimed the Truce Tournament title in the competitive league by defeating Dirty Mike and the Boys 7-6 in overtime in the championship match. In the recreation league, Bang from Blue Springs, Mo. topped Comets Express 7-5 to claim the title.

The Truce Tournament is a tribute to the centennial of the Christmas Truce of 1914 in which the battles of World War I on the Western and Eastern Fronts temporarily subsided. Members of both sides laid down their arms in a time of war to celebrate a day of peace by venturing out to “No Man’s Land” to exchange gifts, sing carols and play soccer.

“At Sporting, we are fiercely proud of Kansas City and the renewed spirit of entrepreneurship and optimism that is bubbling up in our hometown. The National World War I Museum and the Liberty Memorial are symbols of that spirit, and we couldn’t be happier to partner with them to help drive that message,” said Sporting Kansas City chief of staff Greg Cotton. “Kansas Citians came together nearly 100 years ago and made a massive statement not only to the country, but to the world – Kansas City matters. We’re an important city on the national landscape and the world stage, and we are proud to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”

“The Christmas Truce of 1914 was a remarkable event during an incredibly intense period of time,” said National World War I Museum president and CEO Dr. Matthew Naylor. “Without question, there are lessons to be learned from those soldiers who displayed an unbelievable amount of humanity, while the Truce Tournament also gives the National World War I Museum another opportunity to educate the public about the Great War and its enduring impact on the world.”

In addition to Sporting Kansas City, the National World War I Museum, KC Crew and LiveKC, event sponsors include the Boulevard Brewing Company, Central States Beverage Company, Ivy Funds, the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund of Kansas City, Mo., The Roasterie, Sprint and Yelp. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Victory Project in its mission to help kids thrive through life’s challenges as well as the National World War I Museum.
– Story from Sporting KC

Sporting KC signs goalkeeper

Sporting Kansas City has signed 28-year-old goalkeeper Tim Melia.

“I am really excited about the opportunity,” Melia said. “I had the chance to work with the Sporting KC coaches as a pool goalkeeper earlier this year and Kansas City is a great place where professionals can thrive. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to come into a club with a talented staff and team in place to go along with the best fans and facilities in the league.”

Melia enters his sixth MLS season in 2015 after previously representing Real Salt Lake (2010-2011) and Chivas USA (2012-2014), where he backed up MLS All-Stars Nick Rimando (RSL) and Dan Kennedy (CHV).

He most recently served as a League Pool Goalkeeper, earning emergency call-ups from MLS Cup Playoff participants Sporting KC (August), FC Dallas (October) and D.C. United (November) in late 2014.

During his brief time with Sporting Kansas City, Melia appeared on the bench for three MLS matches at Sporting Park and also traveled with the club for a CONCACAF Champions League group stage match in Nicaragua.

The 28-year-old now returns to the team’s roster as one of three goalkeepers under contract for the 2015 season along with Luis Marin (pending receipt of P-1 Visa) and Jon Kempin.

Melia’s professional career began in 2008 with the Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division. He made 14 league appearances (4-3-7) over two seasons with 62 saves, six shutouts and a 0.98 goals against average.

In addition, he saw action in three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches (1-1-1) with 13 saves and a 1.10 goals against average en route to a semifinal berth in the 2009 edition of the competition.

In 2010, Melia joined reigning MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake and spent part of the season on loan in the USL Second Division with the Charleston Battery.

He made 19 appearances (12-4-3) for the Battery with 59 saves, five shutouts and a 1.19 goals against average to help lead Charleston to a first place finish in the regular season standings and eventually the league title with eight saves in the championship match.

He excelled in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the second straight year, making eight saves to shutout the Chicago Fire and see Charleston through to the quarterfinal round.

His 2011 campaign was highlighted by a short-term loan to FC New York during USL PRO’s inaugural season. He made four appearances (2-1-1) with eight saves, one clean sheet and a 1.00 goals against average while playing near his hometown of East Islip, New York on Long Island.

Melia joined Chivas USA in 2012, making a combined nine saves in his first two MLS appearances and making three starts in the U.S. Open Cup to lead the Rojiblancos on a run that ended in the tournament’s semifinal round.

He again earned an end-of-year cameo in 2013 – making eight saves over two starts – and concluded his tenure with Chivas USA by logging 74 minutes split over back-to-back matches during the club’s send-off season in 2014.

Melia is the sixth addition to Sporting Kansas City’s roster for the 2015 season, along with Marin, defender Jalil Anibaba, midfielder Bernardo Añor, midfielder James Marcelin and forward Krisztian Nemeth. Additionally, the club signed MLS All-Star Dom Dwyer to a contract extension earlier this month.

– Story from Sporting KC