Sporting Kansas City striker Alan Pulido was voted the MLS Player of the Week today after bagging two goals in a 2-1 road victory over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at BBVA Stadium.
Pulido landed the accolade for Week 15 of the 2020 MLS campaign thanks to a game-changing performance that saw the 29-year-old Mexican move into a tie atop the club’s scoring charts with six goals this season across all competitions.
The first Sporting player to be named MLS Player of the Week in 2020, Pulido opened the scoring on Saturday in the 34th minute. The forward raced onto a well-weighted through ball from 18-year-old midfielder Gianluca Busio, split a pair of Houston defenders and slotted low under goalkeeper Marko Maric to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
In the 73rd minute, Pulido doubled his tally on another Busio assist that culminated a brilliant attacking buildup. His sublime sliding finish into the far left corner ultimately stood as the game-winner as Sporting emerged with all three points.
Making his first start in over a month after missing most of September through injury, Pulido also became the first player during the MLS Opta era (since 2010) to score twice, create two chances, win three fouls and complete 80% of his passes in a regular season match. His all-action display resulted in a spot on the Audi MLS Team of the Week.
Sporting is now 6-2-1 in the regular season when Pulido starts. The forward arrived in Kansas City last December on a club-record transfer fee and leads the team with four assists, including three at the MLS is Back Tournament in July at Walt Disney World. He is also tied for first among MLS newcomers with nine combined goals (five) and assists (four) in the regular season.
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
Pulido has now joined the Mexico Men’s National Team for a pair of upcoming matches against the Netherlands on Wednesday and Algeria on Oct. 13. Wednesday’s match at Johan Cruyff Arena is slated for 1:45 p.m. CT with live coverage on ESPN2, the ESPN app, TUDN and UniMas.
Currently occupying third place in the Western Conference, Sporting will resume their regular season campaign Wednesday by hosting Chicago Fire FC at Children’s Mercy Park. The cross-conference clash will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets are available at SeatGeek.com. Supporters can also follow the action live on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.
Sporting KC All-Time MLS Players of the Week
- 2020: Alan Pulido (Week 15)
- 2019: Johnny Russell (Week 13)
- 2018: Tim Melia (Week 6) & Johnny Russell (Week 8)
- 2015: Paulo Nagamura (Week 24), Benny Feilhaber (Week 29) & Tim Melia (Week 31)
- 2014: Graham Zusi (Week 4) & Benny Feilhaber (Week 19)
- 2013: Graham Zusi (Week 10)
- 2011: Omar Bravo (Week 1) & Graham Zusi (Week 23)
- 2009: Josh Wolff (Week 5, Week 9 & Week 25)
- 2008: Claudio Lopez (Week 30)
- 2007: Eddie Johnson (Week 2, Week 8 & Week 9) & Scott Sealy (Week 24 & Week 29)
- 2006: Scott Sealy (Week 12), Davy Arnaud (Week 24), Josh Wolff (Week 27) & Jose Burciaga, Jr. (Week 28)
- 2005: Josh Wolff (Week 7 & Week 20)
- 2004: Davy Arnaud (Week 14)
- 2003: Chris Klein (Week 2 & Week 27), Preki (Week 9 & Week 12) & Igor Simutenkov (Week 15)
- 2002: Chris Klein (Week 4) & Tony Meola (Week 21)
- 2001: Chris Klein (Week 2) & Chris Brown (Week 3)
- 2000: Peter Vermes (Week 10) & Tony Meola (Week 15)
- 1999: Chris Klein (Week 19)
- 1998: Vitalis Takawira (Week 10)
- 1997: Preki (Week 12 & Week 14)
- 1996: Preki (Week 8) & Mark Chung (Week 12)
