Timothy Melia (/ˈmiːliə/; born May 15, 1986) is an American former professional soccer player. He spent the majority of his career as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City.

Early career

Melia was born in Great River, New York. Melia attended East Islip High School and played two years of college soccer at the State University of New York at Oneonta before transferring to Lynn University in 2006, where he played his junior and senior years.

Melia played for the Long Island Rough Riders in the USL Premier Development League in 2007.

Professional career

Rochester Rhinos

Melia signed with the Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division on April 30, 2008. An injury to veteran goalkeeper Scott Vallow resulted in increased playing time and a number of starts for Melia during the 2009 season, and he became known for his accurate long balls from goal kicks and dead-ball situations.[citation needed]

Real Salt Lake

After trialling with Real Salt Lake during their pre-season, Melia signed with the club on March 16, 2010; he was sent on loan to USL Division 2 side Charleston Battery in April. Following his clean sheet on June 29 in a U.S. Open Cup match against the Chicago Fire (Charleston won 3–0 on penalty kicks), Melia was named "Player of the 3rd Round" for the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Melia was waived by Real Salt Lake on November 23, 2011.

Chivas USA

Melia signed with Chivas USA in January 2012 and joined them during the 2012 pre-season. During his time with Chivas, Melia made six league appearances for the club.

MLS Pool Goalkeeper

In the middle of the 2014 season, Melia was released by Chivas and became the league pool goalkeeper for Major League Soccer since he had a guaranteed contract. In August 2014, Sporting Kansas City called Melia up from the league pool after two of the team's three goalies, Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum, were injured. He was later called up by FC Dallas and D.C. United on an emergency basis, but he did not make any appearances.

Sporting KC

In December 2014, after having joined them in the previous season as an emergency pool goalkeeper, he signed with Sporting KC for the 2015 season.

After beginning the 2015 season as the understudy to starter Luis Marín, Melia emerged as the starter in May and was the primary goalkeeper for the remainder of the season. For his breakthrough efforts, Melia was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

Since earning the starting job, Melia has emerged as one of the top keepers in the league. He has led SKC to the U.S. Open Cup titles in both 2015, where SKC prevailed in a penalty shootout, and 2017, a hard-fought victory against the New York Red Bulls. Following a 2017 season where he allowed a record-low 0.78 goals per game, Melia was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, and also earned a spot on the MLS Best XI.

Melia's contract was not renewed ahead of the 2025 season, ending his 9-year long tenure with the club. On April 3, 2025, he announced his retirement from professional soccer.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 5 October 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rochester Rhinos2009USL First Division13020——150
Real Salt Lake2010MLS00———00
20110000—0000
Total0000—0000
Charleston Battery (loan)2010USL Second Division16030——190
F.C. New York (loan)2011USL Pro4000——40
Chivas USA2012MLS2030——50
20132000——20
20142000——20
Total6030——90
Sporting Kansas City2014MLS00——0000
201523050—10290
2016270001010290
201731050—00360
201834010—40390
20193200050—370
2020220——20240
2021280——20300
202221000——210
202316000—40200
202428030—20330
Total2620140601602980
Career total3010220601603450

Honors

Charleston Battery

Sporting Kansas City

Individual

External links