Desperately needing three points in a place it hadn't won for 16 years, Sporting Kansas City received a pair of standout performances from goalkeeper Tim Melia and defender Kevin Ellis on Saturday night.
Facing the San Jose Earthquakes in a pivotal Western Conference clash at Avaya Stadium, Melia produced three superb saves and Ellis scored arguably the most important goal of Sporting Kansas City's season in the 81st minute. The end result was a 2-1 victory that snapped an 18-game winless run in San Jose and vaulted Peter Vermes' men to fifth place in the West.