Alan Pulido wins MLS Comeback Player of the Year
The Sporting Kansas City striker missed the entire 2022 season due to injury but returned to help fire his team into the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Alan Pulido has been named MLS Comeback Player of the Year, recognising his impressive form since return from long-term injury.
The Mexican international scored 14 goals in the MLS regular season and was a crucial part of the mid-season turnaround that allows Sporting Kansas City to reach the playoffs.
⚽️ 15 goals
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) November 15, 2023
🤝 6 assists
🌟 June's Player of the Month after setting a club record with six regular season goals in a single month
Comeback Player of the Year was a lock after he set foot back on the field 😤https://t.co/0ZFb5PFkNf#SportingKC | @alanpulido pic.twitter.com/oLLbFdI9Yv
In early 2022 Pulido underwent knee surgery and was out for 15 months. The former Chivas Guadalajara star did not return until March 2023. Sporting KC had suffered a ten-game winless run at the start of the season but Pulido’s comeback goal inspired the team to their first win of the season. His importance has only grown since then and he top-scored as they made an unlikely run into the playoffs.
Along with the Comeback Player of the Year, Pulido was also awarded MLS Player of the Month in June after hitting six goals in five games.
Alan Pulido targeting MLS Cup glory
In his native Mexico Pulido has won the Liga and the Copa with two different teams, also picking up the CONCACAF Champions League with Chivas in 2018. During his brief stint with Olympiacos he lifted the title. But he is yet to win anything in MLS.
Last month Pulido spoke exclusively to AS USA about his ambitions with Sporting KC and made clear that winning silverware is his main priority.
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“I’m grateful and happy because I’m able to stay here and continue growing football-wise. Hopefully some trophies will come along, winning a title is the most important thing for me.”
Pulido’s incredible comeback campaign continues on Sunday, 26 November as Sporting KC travel to Houston Dynamo for their Western Conference semi-final. They will go into the game as slight underdogs, but with Pulido and playoff specialist Dániel Sallói in the side they will be confident of progressing.