Sporting KC: 5 key players to watch in 2020

By Nathan Dunn | Feb 27, 2020

KANSAS CITY, KS - JULY 06: Sporting Kansas City midfielder Yohan Croizet (10) is congratulated by teammates after a goal in the first half of an MLS match between the Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City on July 6, 2019 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TOLUCA, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 03: Alan Pulido #9 of Chivas celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during the 17th round match between Toluca and Chivas as part of the Torneo Apertura 2019 Liga MX at Nemesio Diez Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Toluca, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

1. Alan Pulido

The obvious choice. Before the LA Galaxy signed Chicharito, Alan Pulido was the big signing of the offseason in MLS. Pulido shattered Sporting KC’s transfer record, arriving for a reported $9.5 million. This was the answer to the striker problem that many supporters had been desperately wishing for. SKC finally splashed some cash for a Mexican superstar.

Surprising many people, Pulido didn’t score or even look all that great in preseason. SKC will need that to change in front of the larger crowds of competitive competition and take on some heavy minutes. Pulido does come off his final season with Chivas Guadalajara, where he was the league’s joint-top goalscorer with 12 goals in 18 matches in the 2019 Liga MX Apertura.

He is in Kansas City to score those types of numbers in MLS. For so long, Peter Vermes’ team had everything but a number nine who was ruthless in front of goal. In Pulido, the SKC head coach now hopes that he finally has his solution.

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Pulido will get his first opportunity to get on the scoresheet on Saturday when Sporting KC pay a visit to the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. If SKC are to enjoy any semblance of success this season, Pulido will have to play his part, starting this weekend.

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