Photo by Jaime Valdez/USA TODAY Sports

By SBI SOCCER

After playing hero in Sporting Kansas City’s penalty-kick shootout win during the week, Tim Melia bested his own performance in Portland Saturday.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper helped Sporting KC lift the U.S. Open Cup last Wednesday, but over the weekend amid a hostile environment in the pacific northwest, Melia did even better, forcing six saves on the evening while helping his team attain an important 1-0 Western Conference win. The performance earned him SBI MLS Player of the Week honors.

Melia parried away a couple of Diego Valeri blasts throughout the evening, including a diving effort in the 27th minute. He saved his best stops for the second half, though, as he made a extraordinary quick-reaction kick save in the 65th minute on a Lucas Melano blast at the doorstep.

Melia beat out a strong list of candidates that included teammate Krizstian Nemeth, Chicago’s Harry Shipp and FC Dallas’ David Texeira.

What did you think of Melia’s performance? Which player stood out the most to you this past week in MLS?

Share your thoughts below.