After a poor start to the season that saw them winless in their last 10 MLS games, Sporting KC picked up their first win of 2023 thanks to forward Alan Pulido’s heroics during their 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
It was a long time coming for head coach Peter Vermes and his team. After an abysmal start to the season that saw his team sit last in the Western Conference, Sporting KC put on a brave performance to topple the Seattle Sounders 2-1.
Speaking with the media after the game, Vermes reflected on the match and talked about his team’s character during the losing streak.
"Ten games we didn’t have a win and we know that we played a lot of games where we played very well. We just didn't get the result,” Vermes said.
“But, as I've tried to say many times, there's no doubt that the guys were dejected because of where we were and having not won. But they haven't given up or they’re not in a place where they don't believe. They continue to work very hard.”
The win was largely due to the fact that Sporting got the most out of their Designated Players, Erik Thommy, Gadi Kinda, and Alan Pulido. This match was the first time the trio started together on the field in 2023. Each player contributed to the game meaningfully, with Pulido and Thommy scoring and Kinda registering an assist.
“[Pulido] loves the game. I think that's a big part of the reason why he's back and able to play like he does and he helps our team immensely,” Vermes said of Pulido.
“And we're starting to feel in the game what he does, and how we should play off of it because he's been out for us for a long time. … I'm very happy for him. The goal was a great goal, but it's so typical of him, the run, the finish, he's always so clinical around those situations.”
Though Pulido scored his first goal of the season, the 32-year-old spoke about how happy he was to contribute to Sporting’s first victory.
"For me, the more important is the first win for the team. Of course, the goal brings me a little confidence and I need this goal, but I am more happy about the team and winning [the first match].”
Pulido went on to say that the hard work the team has been putting in has paid off and the feeling of winning is "amazing."
“The sensation is amazing because we worked all the week for this game and we speak a lot about the situation, what happened with the team, with the players because the last matches and the last results is not very good for us,”
Vermes added he’s pumping the brakes on whether or not this will be a catalyst for his team to kickstart the rest of the season. But, he did mention that he's seeing the work his squad is putting in and - in time, the results will come.
“What I do believe is that we are building towards who we can be and I think tonight was a very good representation of that. Is that it? No, not even close. There's so much more that we can do better. And we'll keep working towards that.”
Sporting KC will continue its MLS campaign on May 13th as they head back home to Children’s Mercy Park to host Minnesota United.
This article was originally published on 90min as Alan Pulido powers Sporting KC to their first win of the season.
