Tim Melia Sporting KCBrad Rempel/USA Today

Sporting KC loses Melia for knockout round of MLS playoffs

If Sporting Kansas City hopes to advance past the Houston Dynamo in the knockout round of the MLS playoffs it will have to do so without Tim Melia.

The goalkeeper will be sidelined for Thursday’s contest in Houston with a hamstring strain, Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes confirmed Tuesday.

Melia has not played since an Oct. 7 match against Minnesota United, when he was forced off in the 72nd minute.

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Andrew Dykstra has started each of the three matches since with Sporting KC losing twice and drawing once over that span. The team has conceded four goals in those three games.

The draw and one of the losses came to the Dynamo.

Vermes did not rule out Melia for future games should Sporting KC advance past the knockout stage.

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