Sporting KC bids farewell to club legends Johnny Russell and Tim Melia

Sporting Kansas City is forging ahead into the future without their veteran captain Johnny Russell and star goalkeeper Tim Melia in the year 2025.

The team announced the departures of the two club legends Thursday, along with veterans Andreu Fontas and Remi Walter. The contracts have expired for all four players.

Russell, 34, has played his entire MLS career with Sporting KC. The Scottish forward recorded 60 goals and 40 assists in 196 MLS matches (161 starts) since 2018. He was named captain in 2021 and ranks third in franchise history with 67 goals across all competitions.

Melia, 38, joined SKC in 2015 and is the franchise's all-time leader among goalkeepers in appearances (260), saves (752) and clean sheets (69). He helped the club win the U.S. Open Cup in 2015 and 2017 and was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2017.

Sporting KC finished a disappointing 13th in the Western Conference in 2024 with an 8-19-7 record.

--Field Level Media