Sporting Kansas City is fighting this 2023 MLS season for a playoff spot, with striker Alan Pulido leading the charge offensively.
The team led by Peter Vermes will be part of Group Central 3 this 2023 Leagues Cup and has a challenging task if they want to reach the knockout stage. Sporting Kansas City will have FC Cincinnati, who sits atop the Eastern Conference, and Chivas de Guadalajara, a team that reached the 2023 Clausura final but fell to Club Tigres.
Sporting Kansas City will have their first Leagues Cup match on July 23 when they visit TQL Stadium to face FC Cincinnati at 7:30 pm ET (5:30 pm in Mexico City).
How Sporting Kansas City comes into Leagues Cup?
This season has yet to go as planned for Vermes and Co., but they're within striking distance from 9th place, which is a play-in spot. Sporting Kansas City will need to hop over a couple of clubs, but it’s not a daunting task.
Additionally, playing in Leagues Cup could be a way to salvage their campaign by adding silverware or securing a place in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League with a good showing.
Leagues Cup can also help Sporting Kansas City generate momentum and finish 2023 on a positive note, and that could be enough to get them into the postseason.
Alan Pulido, the engine in the attack
The 32-year-old Mexican striker is at the heart of Sporting Kansas City's attack. This season, Pulido has consistently found the back of the net, making him one of the top scorers in MLS.
Pulido arrived at Sporting Kansas City in December 2019 from Chivas de Guadalajara and will face his former club during the group stage. This match will occur on July 31 and will close out Group Central 3, so it will be interesting to see if Pulido has a hand in eliminating his former club from Leagues Cup.
Daniel Salloi and Johnny Russell reinforce the attack
Aside from Pulido, Sporting Kansas City has other options on offense that will generate headaches for the opposition's defense. Salloi, a 26-year-old Hungarian footballer, and Russell, an experienced 33-year-old Scotsman, appear alongside Pulido to provide the striker scoring support.
Marinos Tzionis, the jewel from Cyprus
Sporting Kansas City signed the 21-year-old in January 2022 after playing for Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, his native country. During his time in MLS, Tzionis has scored three goals in 47 appearances in all competitions. Leagues Cup will allow him to test himself at an international tournament to continue his growth.
