Ilie and Melia carry Sporting KC to 2-0 victory over Union
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Ilie Sanchez scored on a penalty kick in the 11th minute, Tim Melia saved a penalty kick and Sporting Kansas City beat the Philadelphia Union 2-0 on Sunday.
Sporting KC also picked up an own goal off Union defender Jack Elliott in the 80th minute.
Ilie on #SportingKC earning their first points of the MLS season: "We had a tough game, but at the end, it feels good to be back home." pic.twitter.com/ca45GuhfFz
— FOX Sports Kansas City (@FSKansasCity) March 10, 2019
Melia's save came late in the first half when he dove to his right to stop Marco Fabian. Fabian, who scored the Union's only goal on a penalty in their season opener, was given a red card in the 60th.
Melia, who made four saves for his 40th career shutout in the regular season, has eight saves in 20 penalty kicks, three more PK saves than any other active MLS goalkeeper. Melia also punched away a shot from Cory Burke early in the second half.
Just after Fabian was sent off, Sporting KC's Graham Zusi sent a free kick from just outside the box off the bar. The clinching goal came when Gerso Fernandes sent a cross out front that went off Elliott, leaving keeper Andre Blake no chance.
Both teams lost their opener.
