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The 2020 MLS season has come to an end and much like we did in 2019, it’s time to look back at how each player performed for Sporting Kansas City. Keep in mind the stats look diminished for many players, but just 21 regular season games were played in this COVID shortened season (instead of the typical 34). For the full list of players reviewed, head to our dedicated Year in Review page.
The Blue Testament starts our review in the place that seems most deserving, the top. Alan Pulido is the team’s most expensive player ever and it’s time to see if he lived up to the billing.
2020 Stats
Games Played (Started): 12 (11)
Minutes Played: 962
Goals: 6 (tied team lead)
Assists: 5 (team lead)
xG (expected goals): 5.26
Positions Played: Striker/Center Forward and a few minutes in the midfield against Orlando City.
2019 Salary: Not in MLS
2020 Salary: Unknown
Contract Through (Option Years): 2023 (None)
Best Moment of 2020
October 3rd against the Houston Dynamo. The orange Texas foe had gotten the better of KC in two straight outings (including a 5-2 embarrassment) but that wasn’t meant to be on this night. Pulido scored both of SKC’s goals in a 2-1 win including a delightful falling/sliding chip. The sad part was he’d miss the next four games while on international duty and only add one more goal in the route of the Colorado Rapids.
Worst Moment of 2020
Missing so much time. It’s not one moment, but the accumulation of many moments. Pulido dealt with two injuries and an extended international call-up and subsequent quarantine. He also missed both playoff games, which probably no other contending team could have dealt with either.
Interesting Stat
$9.5 million. As in, the transfer fee Sporting are rumored to have paid Pulido to join from Chivas Guadalajara. Before Pulido, all the fees paid for every single player ever transferred to SKC was just $4 million.
Fan Vote: Keep, Banish or Wait
Keep: 99%
Release/Sell: 1%
Sure he was injured or on international duty a bit too much (just 12 appearances) but he’s the most expensive player in team history. It’s no shock that the fans want to see him back. The votes get a bit closer from here.