Sporting KC: 3 reasons why MLS Cup contention beckons

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - MARCH 07: Roger Espinoza #15 of Sporting Kansas City celebrates after scoring during the 1st half of the game against the Houston Dynamo at Children's Mercy Park on March 07, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 29: Russell Teibert #31 of the Vancouver Whitecaps challenges Alan Pulido #9 of Sporting Kansas City during MLS soccer action at BC Place on February 29, 2020 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

1. Alan Pulido is a goalscorer

Bar Gadi Kinda, that great central midfield mentioned in the previous slide has been everpresent for Sporting KC for several years. They have inspired terrific regular-season success, but getting over the hump in the playoffs has been difficult. The gap between very good and great is still a large one.

The primary difference between recent Sporting KC teams and their truly elite counterparts has been the presence of a goalscoring number nine. Peter Vermes has always had a blind spot at the position, and it has repeatedly hurt his team. Not this season.

In the winter, Sporting KC broke their club transfer record to sign the top goalscorer from Liga MX, Alan Pulido. The Mexican already has two goals through two games, has shown off his outrageous work-rate, possesses a terrific eye for goal, illustrating finishes from all sorts of positions and angles, and looks like he can fire 20-plus goals for SKC throughout the season.

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Those types of figures would be revolutionary for Sporting KC. With a terrific foundation behind them, Peter Vermes at the helm, and one of the best central midfields in MLS, if Pulido can fire in the goals, 2020 could indeed be the year for Sporting KC.

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