Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia was named the 2015 MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
The 29 year old Melia went 15-8-5 for Sporting KC after playing backup to MLS All-Stars Nick Rimando at Real Salt Lake and Dan Kennedy at Chivas USA. He did not appear in any regular season matches for Real Salt Lake from 2010-11 and started five games for Chivas USA from 2012-2014.
Melia signed with Sporting Kansas City for the 2015 season and earned a starting role in May. He became the first goalkeeper in MLS history to record six shutouts in his first nine league matches for a new team.
Melia is Sporting Kansas City’s fourth Comeback Player of the Year in team history. Tony Meola won the award in 2000, Chris Klein was a two-time recipient in 2002 and 2005, and Eddie Johnson took the honor in 2007.
The Comeback Player of the Year is selected through league-wide voting of media members, MLS players and MLS executive staff. The award honors a player who has overcome injuries or adversity in order to achieve success during the regular season.
Watch an interview with Melia. VIDEO/SportingKC.com